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无赖 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
无赖wúlàihoodlumHSK 7, v, rank #7231, Hard
无赖wúlàirascalHSK 7, v, rank #7231, Hard
无赖wúlàirogueHSK 7, v, rank #7231, Hard
无赖wúlàirascallyHSK 7, v, rank #7231, Hard
无赖wúlàiscoundrellyHSK 7, v, rank #7231, Hard
wúlài(wu2lai4) T2
  1. 1hoodlum
  2. 2rascal
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March 24, 2026
无赖(無賴)wúlài(wu2lai4)

无赖 (wúlài) refers to a person who behaves in a dishonorable or unscrupulous manner, often engaging in petty crime or deceit. It can describe someone who is a scoundrel or rogue, typically lacking moral integrity and taking advantage of others. This term is often used in informal contexts and can carry both humorous and derogatory connotations.

Frequency#7231DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of a 无赖 often appears in literature and film, reflecting societal views on morality and justice. Characters labeled as 无赖 can be both charismatic and mischievous, highlighting the complexity of human nature.

Memory Tip

Think of a 'wolf' (狼, láng) in sheep's clothing, representing a rogue. The '无' (wú) in 无赖 sounds like 'woo,' as if the wolf is trying to woo you with charm while being a rascal underneath. Visualize a cunning wolf sneaking around, embodying the essence of a 无赖.

Meanings of 无赖

wúlài(wu2lai4)
1hoodlum
2rascal
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 无赖

无赖Simplified
無賴Traditional
Strokes
Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#7231Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7HSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 无赖

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Podcast: 无赖

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AI Study Notes for 无赖

Quick Contrast

流氓 (liúmáng) — use 无赖 for someone who is more of a scoundrel or rogue, while 流氓 typically emphasizes a more aggressive or criminal behavior.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of a 'wolf' (狼, láng) in sheep's clothing, representing a rogue. The '无' (wú) in 无赖 sounds like 'woo,' as if the wolf is trying to woo you with charm while being a rascal underneath. Visualize a cunning wolf sneaking around, embodying the essence of a 无赖.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 无赖 with similar terms like 恶棍 (ègùn), which means 'villain.' 无赖 is more informal and can imply a degree of charm or humor, while 恶棍 is more serious. Be mindful of context; using 无赖 in formal settings may come off as disrespectful.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 无赖 connects with other vocabulary related to character and morality. Focus on collocations such as 无赖的行为 (wúlài de xíngwéi - rascal behavior) and practice using it in sentences that describe people's actions or personalities.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of a 无赖 often appears in literature and film, reflecting societal views on morality and justice. Characters labeled as 无赖 can be both charismatic and mischievous, highlighting the complexity of human nature.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 无赖 with 赖 (lài), which means 'to depend on' or 'to rely on.' For example, saying '他是个赖' is incorrect; it should be '他是个无赖' to convey the meaning of a rascal.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 无赖

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Component Characters

-less
HSK 44 strokes
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làito depend on
HSK 613 strokes
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Write 无赖

Practice writing 无赖 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 无赖

无赖 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 3

Complete the Sentence

他是个流氓!____!

He's a scoundrel! A cad!

Example Sentences for 无赖 (2)

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1
他是个流氓!无赖!

tā shì gè liú máng! ! wú!

He's a scoundrel! A cad!
2
被这个无赖指责让人尤其气愤。

bèi zhè gè wú lài zhǐ zé ràng rén yóu qí qì fèn。

It was especially galling to be criticised by this scoundrel.
Exercise 1 of 1

Reorder the Sentence

He's a scoundrel! A cad!

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Cultural Notes for 无赖

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of a 无赖 often appears in literature and film, reflecting societal views on morality and justice. Characters labeled as 无赖 can be both charismatic and mischievous, highlighting the complexity of human nature.

Frequently Asked Questions about 无赖

Not necessarily; while it often carries a negative connotation, it can also be used in a light-hearted or humorous way to describe someone cheeky.