Signification
Living a comfortable life without hard labor.
Contexte culturel
The idiom reflects the historical 'Rice Culture'. Polished white rice was so rare that it became a synonym for wealth itself. Historically, 'Sĩ' (Scholars) were at the top and were the ones who 'ăn trắng mặc trơn'. This created a long-standing cultural desire for education as a means to escape manual labor. Today, the phrase is often used with a hint of irony toward 'Gen Z' or 'Rich Kids' who are perceived as not knowing the value of hard work. Vietnam's silk villages (like Vạn Phúc) were the source of the 'mặc trơn' (smooth wearing). Silk was reserved for royalty and those who didn't have to work in the mud, as silk is easily ruined.
Use for Careers
This is a great phrase to use when talking about why you chose a white-collar job over a blue-collar one.
Tone Matters
Be careful; if you say this about a friend, they might think you're calling them lazy or spoiled.
Signification
Living a comfortable life without hard labor.
Use for Careers
This is a great phrase to use when talking about why you chose a white-collar job over a blue-collar one.
Tone Matters
Be careful; if you say this about a friend, they might think you're calling them lazy or spoiled.
Pair with Contrast
To sound like a native, contrast it with 'dầm mưa dãi nắng' (soaking in rain, basking in sun).
Grandparent Talk
If a Vietnamese elder says this to you, just smile and agree. They are likely reminiscing about harder times.
Teste-toi
Điền cụm từ thích hợp vào chỗ trống.
Cô ấy lấy được chồng giàu nên bây giờ chỉ việc ____, không phải lo nghĩ gì.
The context of 'marrying a rich husband' and 'not having to worry' fits the idiom for a luxurious life.
Nghĩa của cụm từ 'Ăn trắng mặc trơn' là gì?
Chọn đáp án đúng nhất:
This is the figurative meaning of the idiom.
Hoàn thành đoạn hội thoại sau.
A: Dạo này nhìn cậu có vẻ béo ra nhỉ? B: Ừ, từ khi chuyển sang làm văn phòng, tớ toàn ____, chẳng phải vận động gì.
The speaker is contrasting office work with physical activity.
Nối tình huống với cách diễn đạt phù hợp.
Tình huống: Một người sinh ra trong gia đình giàu có, chưa bao giờ phải làm việc nặng.
'Ăn gió nằm sương' means living a hard, exposed life. 'Ăn chắc mặc bền' means being practical and frugal.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Past vs. Present Luxury
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesCô ấy lấy được chồng giàu nên bây giờ chỉ việc ____, không phải lo nghĩ gì.
The context of 'marrying a rich husband' and 'not having to worry' fits the idiom for a luxurious life.
Chọn đáp án đúng nhất:
This is the figurative meaning of the idiom.
A: Dạo này nhìn cậu có vẻ béo ra nhỉ? B: Ừ, từ khi chuyển sang làm văn phòng, tớ toàn ____, chẳng phải vận động gì.
The speaker is contrasting office work with physical activity.
Tình huống: Một người sinh ra trong gia đình giàu có, chưa bao giờ phải làm việc nặng.
'Ăn gió nằm sương' means living a hard, exposed life. 'Ăn chắc mặc bền' means being practical and frugal.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot necessarily. It can be a compliment, a dream, or a neutral description. However, if used with a sarcastic tone, it implies the person is 'soft' or hasn't earned their comfort.
Yes, it is gender-neutral. You can use it for 'công tử' (men) or 'tiểu thư' (women).
No. While 'trắng' means white, in this idiom it refers to white rice. 'Trơn' (smooth) refers to the clothes.
They are very similar. 'Ăn trắng mặc trơn' is more traditional and visual, while 'Ăn sung mặc sướng' is more common in modern daily speech.
It's a bit informal for a serious business meeting, but fine for a casual lunch with colleagues.
The opposite is 'Ăn đói mặc rách' (Eating hungrily, wearing rags) or 'Dầm mưa dãi nắng' (Working hard in the elements).
Very much so. It's used to describe the 'luxury' lifestyle seen on social media.
No, it means 'smooth' or 'silky' to the touch, indicating high-quality fabric.
No, it only describes people or their specific lifestyle.
Yes, it's a classic example of 'thành ngữ bốn chữ' which is very common in Vietnamese.
Expressions liées
Ăn sung mặc sướng
synonymLiving in abundance and happiness.
Ngồi mát ăn bát vàng
similarSitting in the shade eating from a gold bowl.
Ăn chắc mặc bền
contrastEating hearty and wearing durable clothes.
Ăn gió nằm sương
contrastEating wind and sleeping in dew.
Sống trong nhung lụa
similarLiving in velvet and silk.
Công tử bột
specialized formA 'flour' prince (spoiled boy).
