ăn đong

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The Vietnamese word "ăn đong" is a phrase that means to live from hand to mouth. This expression describes a situation where a person or family has just enough food or money to get by day to day, without any savings or extra resources for the future.

Usage Instructions:

• You can use "ăn đong" to describe someone who is struggling financially and only has enough to meet their basic needs.
• It can also refer to a lifestyle that lacks stability or security.

Example:

• "Gia đình họ sống ăn đong, chỉ đủ ăn qua ngày."
  • Translation: "Their family lives from hand to mouth, only enough to eat day by day."

Advanced Usage:

• You might use "ăn đong" in discussions about economic hardship or poverty to emphasize the precariousness of someone's living situation.
• It can also be used metaphorically to describe any situation where resources are limited.

Word Variants:

• "Sống ăn đong" – This means "to live from hand to mouth" and emphasizes the act of living in this way.
• "Cuộc sống ăn đong" – This translates to "a life of living from hand to mouth," focusing on the lifestyle aspect.

Different Meanings:

While "ăn đong" primarily refers to a precarious financial situation, it can also imply a lack of planning or foresight regarding one's needs.

Synonyms:

• "Sống chật vật" – This means "to live in hardship," and is similar in meaning.
• "Sống tạm bợ" – This translates to "to live temporarily or provisionally," which conveys a sense of instability.

Academic

1. To live from hand to mouth