The Vietnamese phrase "đứng đường" literally translates to "standing on the street." However, its meaning goes beyond just standing and often implies lounging or idling around in public spaces, such as street corners or markets.
"Đứng đường" is used to describe someone who is not doing anything productive and is instead spending time aimlessly hanging out in public places. It can suggest a sense of laziness or lack of purpose in what the person is doing.
You can use "đứng đường" when you want to describe someone who is loafing around, especially in areas where people gather, like streets or markets. It often carries a negative connotation, implying that the person should be doing something more useful.
In a more advanced context, "đứng đường" can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is not contributing positively to society or is wasting their potential. For example, you might say: - "Nếu anh chỉ đứng đường, thì không bao giờ thành công được." - Translation: "If you just lounge around, you will never succeed."
While "đứng đường" primarily refers to idling in public spaces, in some contexts, it can also imply being in a vulnerable or exposed position. However, this usage is less common.