The Vietnamese word "ăn mày" has both a noun and a verb form.
Meaning:
As a Verb: "ăn mày" means "to beg." It refers to the act of asking for food, money, or help from others, often because of poverty or hardship.
As a Noun: "ăn mày" means "beggar." It describes a person who begs for a living or seeks aid from others.
Usage Instructions:
As a verb: Use "ăn mày" to describe the action of begging. For example, "Anh ta phải ăn mày để sống" means "He has to beg to survive."
As a noun: Use "ăn mày" to refer to a beggar. For example, "Có nhiều ăn mày trên đường phố" means "There are many beggars on the streets."
Example Sentences:
Verb: "Trong thành phố này, nhiều người phải ăn mày để kiếm sống." (In this city, many people have to beg to make a living.)
Noun: "Ăn mày đòi xôi gấc." (The beggar asked for sticky rice with gấc, which is a type of fruit used in Vietnamese cuisine.)
Advanced Usage:
In a more complex sentence, you could say: "Người ta không nên đánh giá thấp những người ăn mày vì họ cũng có câu chuyện riêng của mình." (One should not underestimate beggars because they each have their own story.)
Word Variants:
Ăn xin: This is another term that can also mean to beg. It can be used interchangeably with "ăn mày" in many contexts.
Bần cùng: This term describes extreme poverty and can relate to the situation of beggars but is more about the state of being poor rather than the act of begging itself.
Different Meanings:
While "ăn mày" primarily refers to begging and beggars, in some contexts, it can also carry a connotation of someone who is in a desperate situation seeking help.
Synonyms:
Xin ăn: This phrase means "to ask for food" and is often used similarly to "ăn mày."
Mồ côi: While it means "orphan," it can sometimes be related to begging when discussing the plight of homeless children.
Cultural Context:
In Vietnamese culture, begging can be a sensitive topic. Many people view beggars with compassion, recognizing that their circumstances may be due to poverty, disability, or other hardships. The phrase "beggars must not be choosers" reflects a common understanding that those in desperate situations often have to accept whatever help they can get, without being picky about it.