Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
流氓liúmáng(liu2mang2)
流氓 (liúmáng) refers to a rogue or hoodlum, often implying someone who engages in immoral or criminal behavior. This term can describe individuals who act outside social norms, particularly in a disruptive or aggressive manner. In everyday contexts, it may also refer to someone exhibiting lewd or inappropriate conduct.
Frequency#3375DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
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.
Memory Tip
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.
Meanings of 流氓
liúmáng(liu2mang2)
1rogue
2hoodlum
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 流氓
流氓Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3375Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 流氓
Podcast: 流氓
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 流氓
Quick Contrast
流氓 (liúmáng) vs 恶棍 (ègùn) — use 流氓 for someone who disrupts social norms, while 恶棍 emphasizes malicious intent or villainy.
Memory Mnemonic
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.
Usage Notes
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.
HSK Study Tips
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.
Cultural Note
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.
Common Mistakes
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.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 流氓
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 流氓 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 流氓 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
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.
Exercise 1 of 5
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)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
还有其他形式的民众骚乱，最出名的是足球流氓行为。
huán yǒu qí tā xíng shì de mín zhòng sāo luàn， ， zuì chū míng de shì zú qiú liú máng háng。
There are other forms of civil disorder — most notably, football hooliganism.
At a concert in Leeds, some punks gobbed at them and threw beer cans.
6
他真的很帅, 这个小流氓真是帅呆了.
tā zhēn de hěn shuài, , zhè gè xiǎo liú máng zhēn shì shuài dāi.
He was really handsome, what a handsome hooligan he was.
Cultural Notes for 流氓
🏮Cultural insight
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.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
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.
It is advisable to avoid using 流氓 in formal contexts, as it is considered an informal term with negative connotations.
Synonyms include 骚扰者 (sāorǎo zhě, 'harasser') or 无赖 (wúlài, 'scoundrel'), but be aware of their specific connotations.
