Meaning and Usage
The term 不良 (bùliáng) literally means "not good" or "bad." It is commonly used to describe something defective, problematic, or morally bad.
Common Contexts
- Quality Control: Often used to describe defective products or poor quality items, e.g., 不良品 (defective goods).
- Behavior: Describes bad or delinquent behavior, especially in youth, e.g., 不良行为 (bad behavior).
- Social Issues: Refers to problematic individuals or groups, such as 不良少年 (delinquent youths).
Collocations and Patterns
- 不良品: defective products, used in manufacturing or sales contexts.
- 不良行为: bad or improper behavior, often in schools or workplaces.
- 不良少年: delinquent youth, a common social term.
Nuances
Using 不良 implies a negative judgment, often formal or official. It is more serious than just "not good" and often relates to faults or moral issues. Avoid confusing it with 不好, which is more general and less formal.
Register
Commonly used in formal, written, or official contexts such as reports, news, or school discipline. It can also appear in everyday speech when discussing problems or faults.