ăn hại

Friendly

The Vietnamese word "ăn hại" is a verb that means to consume resources without contributing anything in return, similar to living as a parasite or sponging off others. It can specifically indicate a person who takes advantage of others, often without giving back or contributing positively to society.

Usage Instructions:

• "Ăn hại" is typically used in a negative context to describe someone who is seen as a burden or a leech on society or on others. It implies that the person is only taking and not giving.

Examples:

1. Ăn hại xã hội: This phrase translates to "to live as a parasite of society." It describes someone who relies on social systems or the support of others without making an effort to contribute.

   • Example: "Anh ta chỉ biết ăn hại xã hội mà không làm gì cả." (He only knows how to sponge off society without doing anything.)

2. Đồ ăn hại!: This expression means "what a parasite!" or "what a sponger!" It can be used to express frustration or disdain towards someone who is seen as taking advantage of others.

   • Example: "Cô ấy thật là đồ ăn hại, không bao giờ giúp đỡ ai." (She is truly a sponger, never helping anyone.)

3. Ăn hại đái nát: This phrase means "to eat out of house and home," highlighting someone who consumes so much that it depletes the resources of those around them.

   • Example: "Mỗi khi đến nhà tôi, cô ấy ăn hại đái nát." (Every time she comes to my house, she eats us out of house and home.)

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced contexts, "ăn hại" can be used to discuss broader societal issues, such as individuals or groups who exploit social benefits without contributing to the community, possibly sparking discussions about social responsibility and ethics.

Word Variants:

• Ăn: This simple word means "to eat."
• Hại: This word means "to harm" or "to hurt."
• Together, they form the compound "ăn hại," emphasizing the harmful nature of the consumption.

Different Meanings:

While "ăn hại" primarily conveys the idea of parasitism in a social context, in some colloquial uses, it can refer to excessive consumption in a more humorous or exaggerated way, not always carrying the negative connotation.

Synonyms:

• Ký sinh: This means "to live as a parasite" and is often used interchangeably with "ăn hại."
• Phí phạm: Meaning "to waste," it can sometimes overlap with "ăn hại" when discussing irresponsible consumption.

Academic

verb

1. To eat one's head off, to live as a parasite
   • ăn hại xã hội
     to live as a parasite of society, to sponge on society
   • đồ ăn hại!
     what a parasite! what a sponger!
   • ăn hại đái nát
     to eat out of house and home