noun
Refers to someone who lives off another person's hospitality or resources without contributing, often implying a parasitic or unwelcome presence. The image is of someone who eats cold leftovers rather than fresh, warm food.
彼は親戚の家で冷や飯食いをしている。
He is a hanger-on at his relatives' house.
noun
person given the cold shoulder; unwelcome guest
Describes someone who is treated coldly or ignored by a group or household, as if they are only given cold rice to eat. Overlaps with sense 1 but emphasizes the cold reception rather than dependency.
新入りの彼はまだ冷や飯食い扱いだ。
The newcomer is still treated like an unwelcome guest.
noun
non-inheriting son (Edo period); younger son with no inheritance
Historical term from the Edo period. Refers to younger sons who could not inherit the family estate and were often dependent on the eldest brother or other relatives, hence metaphorically 'eating cold rice'. Familiar language.
江戸時代、冷や飯食いは次男以下の息子を指した。
In the Edo period, 冷や飯食い referred to second sons and younger.