ăn boóng

Definition

1. Verb (vulgar, slang):
   • To sponge off someone; to mooch; to freeload: To habitually rely on others for food, money, or other resources without offering anything in return or intending to repay. It implies a parasitic or exploitative relationship.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Hắn suốt ngày không làm việc, chỉ ăn boóng bạn bè. (He doesn't work all day, just sponges off his friends.)
  • Cô ta chuyên đi ăn boóng ở các bữa tiệc. (She specializes in mooching at parties.)

Advanced Usage

• The term carries a strong negative connotation, criticizing a person's character for being lazy and exploitative. It is considered vulgar and impolite.

Variants and Related Words

• Ăn bám (v): to be dependent, to live off someone. This is a more common and slightly less vulgar synonym.
  • Đứa con trai lớn vẫn còn ăn bám bố mẹ. (The grown son still lives off his parents.)

Synonyms

• To sponge off: To get something from others without paying.
• To mooch: To beg or borrow without intent to repay.
• To freeload: To take advantage of others' generosity.

Related Idioms

• Ăn không ngồi rồi: To be idle and do nothing; to live in idleness. This idiom shares the concept of laziness but does not necessarily imply exploiting others.
  • Cả ngày anh ta chỉ ăn không ngồi rồi. (He just sits around idle all day.)