Definition
Lài as an adjective means 'shameless, dishonest' in a petty everyday sense (cheating at games, denying a debt). It's more colloquial than 无耻 (wú chǐ) and distinct from 歪 (wāi 'crooked, devious'). As a verb it also means 'to rely on' or 'to renege on a promise/debt.'
verb
to rely onto depend onto renege onto deny responsibilityto falsely blame
adjective
dishonestshameless
Easily confused
- 懒lǎnlook-alikelazy
- 来láisound-aliketo come
Examples
- 赖。Tā bǎ zìjǐ de cuòwù lài dào biérén tóushàng.He put the blame for his own mistake on someone else.
- ，。Dāyìng de shì jiù yào zuòdào, bù néng lài zhàng.If you promised something, you have to do it — don't renege on the debt.
- ，。Tā zhè rén hěn lài pí, shū le qí hái yào gǎi guīzé.He's such a shameless person — when he loses at chess he tries to change the rules.
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