verb HSK 5
to rub against · to take advantage of · to mooch · to freeload
Meaning
蹭 originally means to rub or scrape against something, like brushing past a wall. It has evolved to mean taking advantage of someone else's resources without paying, such as getting a free ride, using someone's Wi-Fi, or eating someone else's food without contributing.
Usage
Commonly used in casual, colloquial speech. When referring to freeloading, it's often lighthearted but can carry a slight negative connotation. Frequently appears in phrases like 蹭饭 (to mooch a meal), 蹭车 (to catch a free ride), or 蹭网 (to use someone's Wi-Fi without permission).
Examples
- 01我今天又去朋友家蹭饭了。.I went to mooch a meal at my friend's place again today.
- 02他经常蹭我的车去上班。.He often catches a free ride with me to work.
Common collocations
- 蹭饭to mooch a meal
- 蹭车to catch a free ride
- 蹭网to use someone's Wi-Fi without permission
- 蹭热度to ride on someone's popularity
Antonyms
Origin
The character 蹭 contains the foot radical 足, indicating its original meaning related to physical movement and rubbing with the feet or body.