also: しょっきゃく
freeloader; hanger-on; parasite
Derogatory term for someone who lives off another's hospitality without contributing; similar to 居候 (いそうろう).
See also: 居候
house guest (original meaning)
Original, now largely historical meaning: a guest who is provided with meals and lodging, often in a patron–client relationship. Rare in modern usage.
He's been staying at his friend's place as a freeloader.
That guy is just a hanger-on; he's completely useless.
During the Warring States period, many house guests gathered at the daimyo's residence.
Standard kanji spelling; the reading しょっかく is the most common.
Alternate reading; less common than しょっかく.
From Chinese 食客 (shíkè), literally 'eating guest'. The derogatory sense developed from the idea of a person who lives off another's hospitality without contributing.