無賴 / 无赖
wúlài
The English phrase 'scumbag' can be translated into Chinese as 無賴 / 无赖 (wúlài). If unsure, use 無賴 / 无赖. Wiktionary also lists 流氓 (liúmáng).
Meaning: despicable person (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 無賴 / 无赖 | wúlài |
| 流氓 | liúmáng |
The term 無賴 / 无赖 describes a despicable person. In contemporary Chinese, the more common and punchy term used to insult someone's character is 流氓, which implies the person is a 'lowlife' or a 'creep'.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 無賴 is composed of 無 (without) and 賴 (to rely on/depend on), literally suggesting a person who has no principles or nothing to rely on.
Which one should you use?
While 無賴 refers to a person without principles or a scoundrel, 流氓 is more commonly used in modern speech to describe a hooligan, a rogue or someone behaving in a predatory or much more aggressive manner.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In mainland China, the term 渣男 is used to refer to a despicable or scummy man. In Taiwanese Hokkien, the informal term 鳥人 is often used to describe a scumbag.
How do you pronounce it?
wúlài
Did you know?
- In some contexts, calling someone a 流氓 can be used flirtatiously to describe someone who is being 'naughty' or a 'cheeky' flirt.
- In Taiwan, calling someone a 鳥人 (niǎo rén) is a common way to call them a 'loser' or a 'scumbag', but it literally translates to 'bird person'.
- In mainland China, the term 渣男 for 'scumbag' literally translates to 'slag man' or 'dross man', comparing a bad partner to the waste material left over from smelting metal.
Examples in context
- 他是一个无耻之徒，不值得信任。He is a shameless person and not trustworthy.
- 那个渣男对人非常冷漠，无情无义。That scumbag is extremely indifferent and heartless towards others.
- 她被大家认定是一个渣女，因为她总是背叛信任。She is considered a scumbag by everyone because she constantly betrays trust.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “scumbag” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
