xài
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb:
- To spend (money): The primary meaning of "xài" is to use money to pay for goods or services. It often implies consumption or expenditure.
- To use, to consume: "Xài" can also mean to use or consume something, not limited to money, such as electricity or products.
- (Slang) To scold, to reprimand severely: In a colloquial and somewhat vulgar context, "xài" can mean to give someone a severe telling-off or scolding.
Usage Examples
Verb (to spend/use):
- Anh ấy xài tiền rất thoải mái. (He spends money very freely.)
- Chiếc điện thoại này xài được ba năm rồi. (This phone has been used for three years.)
- Tháng này gia đình tôi xài nhiều điện. (My family consumed a lot of electricity this month.)
Verb (to scold):
- Sáng nay sếp xài anh ta một trận vì đi làm muộn. (This morning, the boss gave him a severe scolding for being late.)
Advanced Usage
"xài như phá" / "xài tiền như rác": To spend money recklessly, wastefully, or as if it were trash.
- Cậu ấy mới có lương đã xài như phá. (He just got his salary and is already spending it recklessly.)
"ăn xài": To spend on living expenses, often with a connotation of daily consumption or a certain lifestyle.
- Lương của anh chỉ đủ cho ăn xài hàng ngày. (His salary is only enough for daily expenses.)
Variants and Related Words
- Tiêu xài (verb phrase): To spend, to expend. This is a more standard compound that reinforces the spending meaning.
- Cô ấy không tiêu xài hoang phí. (She does not spend wastefully.)
Synonyms
- Tiêu (verb): To spend. More formal/standard than "xài".
- Dùng (verb): To use. More general and neutral.
- Tiêu thụ (verb): To consume. More formal, often for utilities or resources.
- Mắng (verb): To scold. The standard word for reprimanding.
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)
- Xài sang: To spend on luxurious items, to live lavishly.
- Dạo này anh ta xài sang lắm. (Lately, he's been spending lavishly.)
Related Idioms
- Xài hàng nội: To use domestically produced goods.
- Chúng ta nên ủng hộ xài hàng nội. (We should support using domestic products.)
- Bị xài một trận: To get a severe scolding (idiomatic based on the slang meaning).
- Hôm qua nó bị bố xài một trận vì tội nghịch ngợm. (Yesterday, he got a severe scolding from his dad for being mischievous.)