The Vietnamese phrase "cắm ruộng" literally means "to stake out fields." This term is commonly used in the context of farming and agriculture, but it carries a specific financial connotation when related to debt.
In Vietnam, when someone is in debt and they cannot pay it back, they may "cắm ruộng," meaning they use their agricultural land (rice fields or farms) as collateral for a loan. If they fail to repay the debt, the lender has the right to take over the land.
In a more advanced context, you might encounter discussions about the risks involved in "cắm ruộng," such as the potential loss of land and the impact on the family’s livelihood.
While "cắm ruộng" specifically refers to agricultural land in the context of debt, the individual words can have broader meanings: - "Cắm": Can also mean to stake or to insert. - "Ruộng": Can refer to any type of cultivated land, not just rice fields.