ăn xài
Definition
- Verb:
- To spend money freely, often extravagantly: The primary meaning of "ăn xài" is to use money for consumption and enjoyment, typically implying spending on non-essential items, entertainment, or a luxurious lifestyle. It often carries a connotation of spending a significant amount or spending carelessly.
- To live it up / to indulge: It describes engaging in activities that involve spending money for pleasure and leisure.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Anh ta chỉ biết ăn xài tiền của bố mẹ. (He only knows how to spend his parents' money freely.)
- Sau khi nhận lương, họ ra ngoài ăn xài. (After getting their salary, they went out to spend and enjoy themselves.)
- Cô ấy ăn xài rất hoang phí. (She spends money very wastefully.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in a slightly negative or critical context to comment on someone's spending habits, suggesting a lack of frugality or financial responsibility.
- It can be used reflexively, as in "ăn xài hoang phí" (to spend wastefully/extravagantly).
Variants and Related Words
Tiêu xài (v): to spend, to expend. This is a more neutral synonym.
- Anh ấy tiêu xài rất tiết kiệm. (He spends money very thriftily.)
Ăn chơi (v): to party, to lead a pleasure-seeking lifestyle. This emphasizes the entertainment aspect more strongly.
- Giới trẻ thành phố thích ăn chơi. (City youth like to go out and party.)
Synonyms
- Splurge: to spend money extravagantly or indulgently.
- Spend freely: to use money without much restriction.
- Live lavishly: to live in a luxurious and expensive way.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Ăn xài phung phí / Ăn xài hoang phí: To spend money wastefully or squander money.
- Cậu ấy thừa hưởng gia tài nhưng lại ăn xài phung phí. (He inherited a fortune but squandered it through extravagant spending.)