tọa hưởng

Definition

Verb:
- To enjoy (something) without effort; to reap benefits without working for them: The word describes the act of receiving and enjoying advantages, profits, or a comfortable situation without having to contribute labor, effort, or take any action to earn it. It carries a nuance of passivity and often implies a degree of privilege or luck.

Usage Examples

Verb:
- Anh ta chỉ biết tọa hưởng thành quả lao động của người khác. (He only knows how to enjoy the fruits of others' labor.)
- Không thể tọa hưởng mà phải tự mình phấn đấu. (One cannot reap benefits without effort; one must strive by oneself.)
- Cậu ấy tọa hưởng khối tài sản kếch xù từ ông nội. (He enjoys a huge fortune inherited from his grandfather.)

Advanced Usage Notes

Nuance and Register: "Tọa hưởng" is a Sino-Vietnamese word (Hán Việt) with a formal and somewhat literary register. In modern, everyday Vietnamese, phrases like "hưởng thụ" (to enjoy), "hưởng lợi" (to benefit), or "ngồi không hưởng lợi" (to sit idle and benefit) are more common. "Tọa hưởng" often carries a slightly negative or critical connotation, suggesting laziness, unfair advantage, or a lack of contribution.
Typical Contexts: It is frequently used in contexts discussing inheritance, unearned privilege, unfair distribution of labor and reward, or criticizing passive behavior.

Variants and Related Words

Toạ hưởng: This is an alternate, equally correct spelling. The modern standard Vietnamese alphabet often uses "tọa," but "toạ" is also widely seen.
Hưởng thụ (verb): To enjoy, to indulge in. This is a more neutral and common synonym for the general act of enjoyment.
Hưởng lợi (verb): To benefit, to profit. Focuses on gaining advantage.
Ngồi mát ăn bát vàng (idiom): Literally "to sit in the cool shade and eat a bowl of gold," meaning to live in luxury without working. This idiom is closely related in meaning but is more vivid and colloquial.

Synonyms

Related Idioms and Phrases

Ăn không ngồi rồi: To be idle, to live in idleness. This emphasizes the state of doing nothing, which is a prerequisite for "tọa hưởng."
Của trời cho: A heaven-sent gift; something obtained without effort. This describes the thing being enjoyed, while "tọa hưởng" describes the action of enjoying it.

verb