Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Useless to society, good for nothing: Describes a person whose existence is perceived as having no value, purpose, or positive contribution to society or their community. It implies a state of being superfluous or a burden.

2. Verb phrase (to live in such a state):

   • To live a superfluous/useless life: The act of continuing an existence that is seen as pointless or without meaningful contribution.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Ông ấy cảm thấy mình thật sống thừa sau khi về hưu. (He feels he is truly useless to society after retirement.)
  • Đừng bao giờ nghĩ bản thân là sống thừa. (Never think of yourself as good for nothing.)

• Verb phrase:

  • Cô ấy không muốn sống thừa thêm một ngày nào nữa. (She does not want to live a superfluous life for one more day.)

Advanced Usage

• The term carries a strong, often harsh, emotional and social judgment. It is used to express profound despair, societal criticism, or self-deprecation regarding one's perceived lack of worth.

Variants and Related Words

• Sống mòn (verb phrase): to live a dull, stagnant, and unfulfilling life, slowly wasting away.

  • Họ sống mòn trong căn nhà nhỏ ấy. (They lived a stagnant life in that small house.)

• Vô dụng (adjective): useless, incompetent (generally for objects or abilities, but can be applied to people in a less existential sense than "sống thừa").

Synonyms

• Superfluous: exceeding what is sufficient or necessary.
• Redundant: no longer needed or useful.
• A burden: a person or thing that is physically or emotionally heavy to bear.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Kiếp sống thừa: a superfluous/useless lifetime or existence.

  • Anh ta đã chán ngấy kiếp sống thừa này. (He is fed up with this useless existence.)

• Cảm giác sống thừa: the feeling of being superfluous/useless.

  • Căn bệnh khiến ông ấy luôn có cảm giác sống thừa. (The illness always gives him the feeling of being useless.)

1. useless to society, good for nothing