叛徒
pàntú
The English word renegade is translated into Chinese as 叛徒 (pàntú).
叛徒 is used to describe a disloyal person who betrays or deserts his cause or religion etc.
Meaning: disloyal person who betrays or deserts his cause or religion etc. (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 叛 (pàn), meaning to betray or revolt and 徒 (tú), meaning follower or person.
Which one should you use?
The phrase 造反者 literally means 'someone who rebels'.
How do you pronounce it?
pàntú
Did you know?
- The character 徒 in 叛徒 can mean 'follower' but also refers to a 'pedestrian' or someone who travels on foot. In ancient contexts, this linked the idea of a common soldier or a low-ranking disciple to the act of betrayal.
- While 叛徒 is the standard term, in many martial arts films, a renegade who betrays their sect is often called a 叛門者 (pàn mén zhě), literally 'one who betrays the gate'.
- In modern Chinese internet slang, the term 叛徒 is often used jokingly among friends to describe someone who leaves a group activity or switches their favorite sports team.
Examples in context
- 他是一个有名的造反者，经常反抗社会不公。He is a well-known renegade and often fights against social injustice.
- 他是一名叛徒，背叛了我们的价值观。He is a renegade who betrayed our values.
- 他是一个背信弃义的叛徒。Tā shì yīgè bèixìnqìyì de pàntú.He is a disloyal renegade.
- 那个叛徒逃走了。Nàgè pàntú táozǒu le.That renegade ran away.
- 我们绝不能成为叛徒。Wǒmen jué bùnéng chéngwéi pàntú.We must never become renegades.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a movie plot.
- 伟 Wei那个角色最后变成了叛徒。Nàge juésè zuìhòu biànchéngle pàntú.That character became a renegade in the end.
- 雨婷 Yuting我也没想到他会这么做。Wǒ yě méi xiǎngdào tā huì zhème zuò.I didn't expect him to do that either.
- 伟 Wei他出卖了所有的伙伴。Tā chūmàile suǒyǒu de huǒbàn.He betrayed all of his partners.
- 雨婷 Yuting他真是个可恨的叛徒。Tā zhēnshì gè kěhèn de pàntú.He really is a hateful renegade.
