ăn ghẹ
Definition
- Verb phrase (idiomatic):
- To sponge off (someone) / to freeload: The phrase "ăn ghẹ" (also said as "ăn kẹ") means to eat or live at someone else's expense without paying or contributing. It implies taking advantage of another person's generosity or resources.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Thằng bạn tôi suốt ngày đến nhà tôi ăn ghẹ. (My friend is always coming to my house to sponge off me.)
- Anh ta không chịu đi làm, chỉ thích ăn ghẹ bố mẹ. (He refuses to work and just likes to freeload off his parents.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is informal and often used in a critical or disapproving tone to describe someone's parasitic behavior.
Variants and Related Words
- Ăn kẹ (v): A variant with the same meaning as "ăn ghẹ".
- Nó chuyên đi ăn kẹ bạn bè. (He specializes in sponging off his friends.)
Synonyms
- To mooch: to ask for or obtain something without paying.
- To leech off: to exploit someone for personal gain, especially financially.
- To live off the backs of others: to depend on others for support without reciprocating.
Related Idioms
- Ăn bám: to be dependent, to live as a dependent.
- Đã lớn rồi mà vẫn còn ăn bám gia đình. (You're grown but still leeching off your family.)
- Ăn không ngồi rồi: to be idle and live off others.
- Cả ngày ăn không ngồi rồi, chẳng lo làm ăn gì. (Idle all day long, not worrying about making a living.)