Meanings of 流氓
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About 流氓
Podcast: 流氓
Podcast: 流氓
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AI Study Notes for 流氓
流氓 (liúmáng) vs 恶棍 (ègùn) — use 流氓 for someone who disrupts social norms, while 恶棍 emphasizes malicious intent or villainy.
Imagine a 'flowing' (流) river filled with 'mangy' (氓) dogs that cause chaos wherever they go. The visual of these unruly dogs helps remember that 流氓 means a rogue or a troublemaker, and the pronunciation 'liu2 mang2' sounds like 'you mangy' which helps you connect to its negative connotation.
Be cautious when using 流氓, as it can carry strong negative connotations and is often used informally. Common collocations include 流氓行为 (liúmáng xíngwéi, 'rogue behavior') and 流氓电影 (liúmáng diànyǐng, 'gangster films'). Avoid using it in formal contexts.
As an HSK Level 6 word, 流氓 connects to themes of social behavior and morality, which are prevalent in advanced vocabulary. Students should focus on understanding its nuanced usage in different contexts, especially in literature and media.
In Chinese culture, the term 流氓 is often associated with specific societal issues, such as the portrayal of gangsters in films and the historical context of crime in urban areas. It reflects broader societal concerns about morality and social order.
Learners often confuse 流氓 with other negative terms, using it inappropriately. For example, saying '他是一个流氓的商人' (tā shì yīgè liúmáng de shāngrén) to mean 'he is a rogue businessman' is incorrect; a more precise term like '不道德的商人' (undethical businessman) would be better.
Pronunciation of 流氓
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Component Characters
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Grammar Patterns of 流氓
流氓 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 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.
Complete the Sentence
还有其他形式的民众骚乱，最出名的是足球____行为。
There are other forms of civil disorder — most notably, football hooliganism.
Example Sentences for 流氓 (6)
Cultural Notes for 流氓
In Chinese culture, the term 流氓 is often associated with specific societal issues, such as the portrayal of gangsters in films and the historical context of crime in urban areas. It reflects broader societal concerns about morality and social order.
The concept of a 'rogue' or 'hoodlum' may carry different legal and social implications in Western cultures, where such terms might be less colloquially accepted and more legally defined.
Frequently Asked Questions about 流氓
No, 流氓 can refer to both men and women, although it may carry different societal perceptions depending on gender.