Chinese word

耍赖

Pronunciation

Pinyinshuǎ lài

Meaning

  • verbthrow a tantrum

Example

孩子又在耍赖，不想吃饭。hái zi yòu zài shuǎ lài bù xiǎng chī fàn

The child is throwing another tantrum and doesn't want to eat.

Illustration for 耍赖 (throw a tantrum)

More examples

他签了合同后又想耍赖，不肯履行承诺。tā qiān le hé tóng hòu yòu xiǎng shuǎ lài bù kěn lǚ xíng chéng nuò

After signing the contract, he tried to throw another tantrum and refused to honor his promise.

Core concept

Uses anger, feigned innocence, or excuses to make another person give way.

Common phrases

  • 耍赖皮shuǎ lài pí

    throw a shameless tantrum

  • 跟别人耍赖gēn bié rén shuǎ lài

    be difficult with others

  • 耍赖不讲理shuǎ lài bù jiáng lǐ

    throw a tantrum and be unreasonable

Similar words

耍无赖shuǎ wú lài: Dodging a duty or responsibility by refusing to act properly or accept the consequences.
撒泼sā pō: Making a loud, disruptive scene to frighten or pressure someone into giving way.
装可怜zhuāng kě lián: Pretending to be pitiful so that others feel sorry and agree to one's wishes.

Definition in Chinese

通过耍脾气、装无辜或推诿来让别人让步，多含贬义，常用于口语。tōng guò shuǎ pí qì zhuāng wú gū huò tuī wěi lái ràng bié rén ràng bù duō hán biǎn yì cháng yòng yú kóu yǔ

Word origin

耍 (shuǎ, "put on an act") + 赖 (lài, "shirk responsibility") combines a performed attitude with evasion, describing refusal used to pressure others.

Usage tips

  • 耍赖 (shuǎlài, "act difficult") is common in everyday complaints but can sound disrespectful toward an unfamiliar person or in a formal conversation.

Other meanings

  • be difficultverb
  • refuse to back downverb

Opposites

  • 讲理jiáng lǐbe reasonableverb
  • 守规矩shǒu guī jǔfollow the rulesverb

Related words

  • 耍赖皮shuǎ lài píthrow a shameless tantrumverb

Word lists with this word