Usage and Meanings
The character 赖 (lài) primarily means "to rely on" or "to depend on" someone or something. It often carries a slightly negative connotation when used to describe someone who habitually depends on others without taking responsibility. Another common meaning is "to shirk responsibility" or "to refuse to pay a debt," which is frequently used in everyday speech.
Common Collocations
- 赖别人 (lài biérén): to rely on others, often implying dependence or laziness.
- 赖账 (lài zhàng): to refuse to pay a debt, a common phrase in financial or informal contexts.
- 赖在 (lài zài): to lie around or stay somewhere unwilling to move, often describing laziness.
Pragmatic Notes
When you use 赖, it often implies a negative judgment about the subject's behavior, such as irresponsibility or laziness. It is not typically used in formal writing but is common in spoken Chinese. Be careful not to confuse 赖 with 依赖 (yīlài), which is a more neutral term for "to depend on" without the negative nuance.
Register and Tone
赖 is informal and sometimes colloquial. It can express mild criticism or complaint, so use it carefully in polite or formal situations.