Beach bum
Meaning: Someone who spends most of their time at the beach, either by lifestyle choice or as a carefree surfer type.
A beach bum is someone whose life revolves around the beach — surfing, sunbathing, and living a carefree coastal existence. In California, it can be a lifestyle aspiration or a mild criticism, depending on context. Many Californians dream of being beach bums, even if they work 9-to-5 jobs. 'Beach bum life' is an idealized version of the California dream.
Examples
- He quit his corporate job to become a beach bum in Santa Cruz. 他辞掉了公司的工作,去圣塔克鲁兹当了个beach bum。Dejó su trabajo corporativo para convertirse en un beach bum en Santa Cruz.彼は会社を辞めてサンタクルーズでビーチバムになった。걔는 회사를 관두고 산타크루즈에서 비치 범이 됐어.
- I'm a total beach bum on weekends — you'll find me at the shore. 周末我完全是个beach bum——去海边找我就行。Los fines de semana soy un beach bum total — me encontrarás en la costa.週末は完全にビーチバムだよ——海岸にいるからね。주말에는 완전 비치 범이야——해변에서 날 찾을 수 있어.
- Living the beach bum life sounds perfect until rent is due. Beach bum的生活听起来很完美,直到交房租的日子到来。La vida de beach bum suena perfecta hasta que llega el día de pagar el alquiler.ビーチバム生活って最高に聞こえるけど、家賃の支払日までの話だけどね。비치 범 생활이 완벽하게 들리지만, 월세 낼 때까지의 얘기야.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: lifestyle, beach culture, identity
Tone: carefree, sometimes envious
✓ Do Say
- I'm a beach bum at heart.我骨子里就是个beach bum。Soy un beach bum de corazón.心の中ではビーチバムなんだよね。마음속으로는 비치 범이야.
- She's living the beach bum dream in San Diego.她在圣迭戈过着beach bum式的梦想生活。Está viviendo el sueño beach bum en San Diego.彼女はサンディエゴでビーチバムの夢を生きてる。걔는 샌디에이고에서 비치 범의 꿈을 살고 있어.
✗ Don't Say
- Calling a surfer a 'beach bum' can be either a compliment or an insult — context and tone matter叫冲浪者'beach bum'可以是褒义也可以是贬义——取决于语境和语气Llamar a un surfista 'beach bum' puede ser un cumplido o un insulto — el contexto y el tono importanサーファーを「ビーチバム」と呼ぶのは褒め言葉にも侮辱にもなりうる——文脈と口調が重要서퍼를 '비치 범'이라고 부르는 것은 칭찬이 될 수도 모욕이 될 수도 있다——맥락과 어조가 중요하다
Origin & History
American slang dating back to the 1950s-60s California beach culture. The term evolved from mildly derogatory (implying laziness) to aspirational, as the beach lifestyle became synonymous with the California dream.
Cultural Context
Era: 1960s
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: California coastal communities
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