Definitions
(verb)
to depend on; to rely on
(verb)
to renege; to default on debts
(verb)
to blame; to put blame on
(adjective)
bad; rascally
About
The character "赖" originates from the traditional form "賴", whose structure combines "束" meaning to bind and "貝" representing currency, thereby etymologically pointing to a reliance on financial resources and giving rise to its initial sense of dependence. From this core, the meaning expanded to encompass negative actions such as refusing to acknowledge debts or responsibilities, as seen in the word "赖账", and it further evolved to describe a person who is persistently shameless or a rascal, exemplified by the term "无赖". The simplified version "赖" altered the right component from "貝" to "负", but this structural adjustment did not significantly shift the semantic range that had developed over its long history.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
孩子依赖父母。
不要耍赖皮。
他真是个无赖。
你别想赖账。
好赖都得接受。
你不能诬赖别人。
依赖电子产品不好。
他耍赖不承认比赛结果。