耍赖

耍賴

shuǎlài

verb HSK 7 #23,572

Meanings

1 to act shamelessly
2 to refuse to admit fault
3 to go back on one's word

Characters

to play; to act up

to rely on; to deny; to be shameless

Literally 'play shameless' — to shamelessly refuse to comply

Examples

你不能耍赖，说好的事情就要做到。

Nǐ bù néng shuǎlài, shuō hǎo de shìqíng jiù yào zuòdào.

You can't go back on your word — you must do what you agreed to.

小孩子输了比赛就耍赖。

Xiǎo háizi shū le bǐsài jiù shuǎlài.

The kid acted like a sore loser when he lost the game.

他欠钱不还，总是耍赖。

Tā qiàn qián bù huán, zǒngshì shuǎlài.

He owes money and refuses to pay — always acting shamelessly.

Tips

usage

耍赖 is colloquial and mildly negative. It describes someone who shamelessly refuses to keep a promise, admit fault, or follow rules. Similar to 'being a sore loser' or 'weaseling out of something'. Related: 耍赖皮 (shuǎlàipí, same meaning, slightly more emphatic).

Stroke Order

耍 shuǎ

赖 lài