ăn chực
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To eat at someone's expense without invitation; to scrounge a meal: The primary meaning describes the act of eating food at someone's home or event without being an invited guest, often implying taking advantage of another's hospitality.
- To freeload; to mooch: A more general sense meaning to habitually rely on others for food, drink, or resources without offering anything in return.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Hắn ta nổi tiếng là kẻ hay ăn chực. (He is famous for being a person who often scrounges meals.)
- Đừng có thói ăn chực nơi nhà người khác. (Don't develop the habit of eating at other people's homes uninvited.)
- Bữa tiệc đông quá, chắc có vài người ăn chực. (The party was too crowded; there were probably some people freeloading.)
Advanced Usage
- The term often carries a strong negative connotation of shame, laziness, or social impropriety. It criticizes a person for lacking self-reliance or manners.
- It can be used metaphorically beyond food to describe taking advantage of any situation for personal benefit without contribution.
Variants and Related Words
- Ăn bám (verb phrase): to live off someone; to be a dependent. This implies a more permanent, parasitic relationship compared to the occasional act of "ăn chực."
- Ăn không ngồi rồi (idiom): to eat in idleness; to be idle and unproductive.
Synonyms
- To scrounge: to obtain something, especially food or money, by begging or borrowing without intent to repay.
- To freeload: to take advantage of others' generosity without giving anything in return.
- To mooch: to ask for or obtain something without paying for it.
Related Idioms
- Ăn chực nằm chờ: to scrounge for food and wait around. This idiom intensifies the meaning, depicting someone who constantly loiters or waits for opportunities to get free meals or benefits.
- Hắn suốt ngày ăn chực nằm chờ ở quán cà phê của ông ấy. (He spends all day loitering and scrounging at his coffee shop.)