Chinese word

无赖

Pronunciation

Pinyinwú lài

Meaning

  • nounscoundrel

Example

他是个无赖。tā shì gè wú lài

He is a scoundrel.

Illustration for 无赖 (scoundrel)

More examples

遇到无赖要保持警惕。yù dào wú lài yào bǎo chí jǐng tì

Stay alert when you encounter a scoundrel.

Core concept

A person who ignores rules and uses bullying, pressure, or deceit to gain an advantage over others.

Common phrases

  • 是个无赖shì gè wú lài

    be a scoundrel

  • 像无赖一样xiàng wú lài yí yàng

    be like a scoundrel

  • 跟无赖打交道gēn wú lài dǎ jiāo dào

    deal with scoundrels

Similar words

流氓liú máng: A lawless ruffian who injures or troubles people through rough and disruptive behavior.
恶棍è gùn: A villainous person who treats others badly and uses underhanded ways to exploit them.
痞子pǐ zi: A rough neighborhood troublemaker whose disruptive behavior makes him a noticeable bad character.

Definition in Chinese

指常常欺负别人、不守规矩、用强或讹诈手段谋利的人。zhǐ cháng cháng qī fù bié rén bù shǒu guī jǔ yòng qiáng huò é zhà shǒu duàn móu lì de rén

Word origin

无赖 (wúlài, "scoundrel") originally referred to a person with no dependable support, then developed into a label for someone shameless who causes trouble.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, this is a strongly insulting word: playful use may occur among close friends, but it usually signals serious condemnation of someone's conduct.

Other meanings

  • ruffiannoun
  • villainnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 无赖汉wú lài hànscoundrelnoun

Word lists with this word