Chinese Conversation · Level 78
91 words
Chinese word
狼狈为奸
Pronunciation
Pinyinláng bèi wéi jiān
Meaning
- idiomcollude in wrongdoing
Example
警方发现官员与商人狼狈为奸，收受贿赂。jǐng fāng fā xiàn guān yuán yǔ shāng rén láng bèi wéi jiān shōu shòu huì lù
The police discovered that the officials and merchants were colluding and taking bribes.
More examples
工厂负责人与原料供应商狼狈为奸，偷工减料以牟利。gōng chǎng fù zé rén yǔ yuán liào gōng yìng shāng láng bèi wéi jiān tōu gōng jiǎn liào yǐ móu lì
The factory manager and the raw material supplier conspired, using inferior materials and cutting corners for profit.
Core concept
A hidden partnership in which two sides use their shared interests to carry out harmful or unlawful acts.
Similar words
合谋hé móu: Planning and carrying out wrongdoing or a crime together as part of a deliberate scheme.
勾结gōu jié: Secretly forming an improper alliance to take part in wrongdoing or crime.
Definition in Chinese
表示两方秘密联合，出于共同目的而有意识地进行损害他人或违反法律的行为。biǎo shì liǎng fāng mì mì lián hé chū yú gòng tóng mù dì ér yǒu yì shí dì jìn xíng sǔn hài tā rén huò wéi fǎn fǎ lǜ de xíng wéi
Word origin
狼狈为奸 (lángbèiwéijiān, "wolves and bei acting wickedly") draws on the traditional story of a wolf and a bei helping each other, while 为奸 (wéi jiān, "act wickedly") supplies the wrongdoing sense.
Usage tips
- This idiom is a strong accusation rather than a neutral description of teamwork, so its tone is closer to alleging corrupt or criminal cooperation than simply saying that people work together.
Other meanings
- conspireidiom