赖

賴/頼

lài

束 + 负

HSK 3.0Level 6

Definitions

lài (verb) to depend on; to rely on

lài (verb) to renege; to default on debts

lài (verb) to blame; to put blame on

lài (adjective) bad; rascally

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 贝 represents the meaning and 剌 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "profit". The meaning later shifted to "rely on" and "blame". Simplified form of 賴.

Semantic: 贝 Phonetic: 剌

About

The character 赖 (traditional 賴) is a phono-semantic compound. Its right component 贝 (traditional 貝), meaning cowrie shell, provides the semantic category related to wealth and economic transactions. The left component 剌 serves as the phonetic element. Originally, the character meant to gain profit or acquire material advantage. Over time, its meaning shifted from direct financial gain to signify reliance or dependence on someone. It also developed a negative sense, implying shamelessness, reneging on a promise, or evading responsibility.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

孩子依赖父母。

Háizi yīlài fùmǔ.

Children depend on their parents.

不要耍赖皮。

Bù yào shuǎ làipí.

Don't act shamelessly.

他真是个无赖。

Tā zhēnshi gè wúlài.

He is really a rascal.

你别想赖账。

Nǐ bié xiǎng lài zhàng.

Don't think about refusing to pay the debt.

好赖都得接受。

Hǎo lài dōu déi jiēshòu.

We have to accept both good and bad.

你不能诬赖别人。

Nǐ bùnéng wūlài biérén.

You can't falsely accuse others.

依赖电子产品不好。

Yīlài diànzǐ chǎnpǐn bù hǎo.

Depending on electronic products is not good.

他耍赖不承认比赛结果。

Tā shuǎlài bù chéngrèn bǐsài jiéguǒ.

He acts unreasonably and doesn't admit the competition result.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 束

赖