plain rice; a free ride
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesnoun
plain (cooked) rice
neutralRefers specifically to rice cooked with only water, eaten without any side dishes.
Wǒ我
jīn今
tiān天
tài太
máng忙
le了
，
zhōng中
wǔ午
zhǐ只
chī吃
le了
yī一
wǎn碗
bái白
fàn饭
。
I was too busy today and only ate a bowl of plain rice for lunch.
Tā他
shēng生
bìng病
le了
，
yī医
shēng生
shuō说
zàn暂
shí时
zhǐ只
néng能
chī吃
bái白
fàn饭
。
He is sick, and the doctor said he can only eat plain rice for now.
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Zhè这
wǎn碗
bái白
fàn饭
zhǔ煮
de得
hěn很
hǎo好
，
lì粒
lì粒
fēn分
míng明
。
This bowl of plain rice is cooked perfectly, with each grain separate.
noun
to eat without paying; to be a freeloader; to enjoy benefits without working
informalThis sense is derived from the idiom '吃白饭'. It is an informal, often figurative or idiomatic usage meaning 'to get something for free' or 'to be a freeloader'.
Tā他
tiān天
tiān天
lái来
gōng公
sī司
chī吃
bái白
fàn饭
，
shén什
me么
gōng工
zuò作
dōu都
bù不
zuò做
。
He comes to the company every day and gets a free ride without doing any work.
Wǒ我
men们
gōng公
sī司
bù不
yǎng养
chī吃
bái白
fàn饭
de的
rén人
。
Our company doesn't support freeloaders.
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Nǐ你
yǐ以
wéi为
zhè这
dùn顿
fàn饭
shì是
gěi给
nǐ你
chī吃
bái白
fàn饭
de的
ma吗
？
Nǐ你
dé得
bāng帮
máng忙
！
Did you think this meal was for you to enjoy for free? You have to help!