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赖 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
赖làito depend onHSK 6, nr, 13 strokes, radical 贝, rank #5328, Hard
赖làito hang on in a placeHSK 6, nr, 13 strokes, radical 贝, rank #5328, Hard
赖làibadHSK 6, nr, 13 strokes, radical 贝, rank #5328, Hard
赖làito renege (on promise)HSK 6, nr, 13 strokes, radical 贝, rank #5328, Hard
赖làito disclaimHSK 6, nr, 13 strokes, radical 贝, rank #5328, Hard
赖làito rat (on debts)HSK 6, nr, 13 strokes, radical 贝, rank #5328, Hard
赖làirascallyHSK 6, nr, 13 strokes, radical 贝, rank #5328, Hard
赖làito blameHSK 6, nr, 13 strokes, radical 贝, rank #5328, Hard
赖làito put the blame onHSK 6, nr, 13 strokes, radical 贝, rank #5328, Hard
赖làito depend on, to rely on; to bilk, to deny; poorHSK 6, nr, 13 strokes, radical 贝, rank #5328, Hard
赖làisurname LaiHSK 6, nr, 13 strokes, radical 贝, rank #5328, Hard
lài(Lai4)lai T4
  1. 1to depend on
  2. 2to hang on in a place
Also a Chinese surname, Lai — see the Surname Dictionary
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

赖(賴)lài(Lai4)

The character 赖 (lài) has multiple meanings including 'to depend on' or 'to rely on,' as well as a surname. It can also imply negative connotations such as 'to renege on a promise' or 'to blame others.' The context in which it is used can significantly change its meaning, making it important to understand the surrounding words.

Strokes13Radical贝Frequency#5328DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of dependence is often viewed through the lens of family and social relationships, where relying on family members is common. The negative aspect of 赖 also reflects a cultural value that emphasizes personal responsibility.

Memory Tip

Imagine a person named Lai who always hangs onto others for support, symbolizing dependence. Picture him in a rascally manner, blaming others for his failures, which helps connect the character's form to its meanings of reliance and blame.

Meanings of 赖

lài(Lai4)
1to depend on
2to hang on in a place
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 赖 means.

About 赖

赖Simplified
賴Traditional
13Strokes
贝Radical
名词míngcínrav (n.)Part of Speech
#5328Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 赖

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Podcast: 赖

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AI Study Notes for 赖

Quick Contrast

赖 (lài) vs 依 (yī) — use 赖 when emphasizing dependence with a negative connotation, while 依 is more neutral, focusing on reliance without negative implications.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 赖 (lài) with similar-sounding words. It is predominantly used in informal contexts when discussing dependence or blame. Be cautious with the tone: using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely, as 赖 is pronounced with a falling tone.

HSK Study Tips

While 赖 is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects well with words related to dependence and blame at the intermediate level. Focus on its usage in sentences to grasp both formal and informal contexts, as well as its synonyms.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 赖 (lài) with 赖 (lái) in terms of tone. For example, using 'lái' instead of 'lài' can change the meaning completely. Remember that 赖 is pronounced with a falling tone.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 赖

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Etymology of 赖

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 贝 represents the meaning and 剌 represents the sound. Simplified form of 賴.

Memory Hint

money

Semantic (meaning)贝
+
Phonetic (sound)剌
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

赖 = 贝 + 剌. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 赖

IDS Structure⿰剌贝
赖Full Character
=
剌la2
left
贝Bei4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 赖?

How to say to depend on in Chinese

“to depend on” in Chinese is赖lài

The character 赖 (lài) has multiple meanings including 'to depend on' or 'to rely on,' as well as a surname. It can also imply negative connotations such as 'to renege on a promise' or 'to blame others.' The context in which it is used can significantly change its meaning, making it important to understand the surrounding words.

When to use 赖

Learners often confuse 赖 (lài) with similar-sounding words. It is predominantly used in informal contexts when discussing dependence or blame. Be cautious with the tone: using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely, as 赖 is pronounced with a falling tone.

赖 or something close to it

赖 (lài) vs 依 (yī) — use 赖 when emphasizing dependence with a negative connotation, while 依 is more neutral, focusing on reliance without negative implications.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 赖 (lài) with 赖 (lái) in terms of tone. For example, using 'lái' instead of 'lài' can change the meaning completely. Remember that 赖 is pronounced with a falling tone.

Write 赖

赖

Practice writing 赖 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 赖

赖 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 11 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons2
Exercise 1 of 4

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

从务实角度来说，音乐电视网的生存依____于把年轻人市场卖给广告商。

Pragmatically, MTV's survival depends on selling the youth market to advertisers.

Example Sentences for 赖 (20)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
从务实角度来说，音乐电视网的生存依赖于把年轻人市场卖给广告商。

cóng wù shí jiǎo dù lái shuō， ， yīn lè diàn shì wǎng de shēng cún yī lài yú bǎ nián qīng rén shì cháng mài gěi guǎng gào。

Pragmatically, MTV's survival depends on selling the youth market to advertisers.
2
我信赖他的友情，也相信他的判断。

wǒ xìn lài tā de yǒu qíng， ， yě xiāng xìn tā de pàn。

I depended on his companionship and on his judgment.
3
马特软弱无能且依赖性强，但我们照样爱他。

mǎ tè ruǎn ruò wú néng qiě yī lài xìng qiáng， ， dàn wǒ mén zhào yàng ài。

Matt is weak and dependent, but you love him all the same.
4
他在办公室闲荡了一会儿，感到百无聊赖。

tā zài bàn gōng shì xián dàng le yī huì ér， ， gǎn dào bǎi wú liáo。

He moped around the office for a while, feeling bored.
5
他是个流氓!无赖!

tā shì gè liú máng! ! wú!

He's a scoundrel! A cad!
6
布赖恩的脸鼓得像个拳头。

bù lài ēn de liǎn gǔ dé xiàng gè quán tóu。

Brian's face balled up like a fist.
7
她的言行举止像个孩子，依赖性强。

tā de yán háng jǔ zhǐ xiàng gè hái zǐ， ， yī lài xìng。

Her behaviour was childlike and dependent.
8
“好的，赖尔先生，”他用带有浓重法国口音的英语说。

“ “ hǎo， de ， lài ěr，” xiān shēng ，” tā yòng dài yǒu nóng zhòng fǎ guó kǒu yīn de。

"Good, Mr Ryle," he said in English with a strong French accent.
9
被这个无赖指责让人尤其气愤。

bèi zhè gè wú lài zhǐ zé ràng rén yóu qí qì fèn。

It was especially galling to be criticised by this scoundrel.
10
布赖恩不喜欢它，但那并不重要。

bù lài ēn bù xǐ huān tā， ， dàn nà bìng bù zhòng。

Brian didn't like it, but that was beside the point.
11
赖先生是我们公司的财务总监，他的管理能力令人赞赏。

Lài xiānsheng shì wǒmen gōngsī de cáiwù zǒngjiān, tā de guǎnlǐ nénglì lìngrén zànshǎng.

Mr. Lai is the financial director of our company, and his management skills are commendable.
12
赖先生是我们大学的校友，他经常回校演讲。

Lài xiānshēng shì wǒmen dàxué de xiàoyǒu, tā jīngcháng huí xiào yǎnjiǎng.

Mr. Lai is an alumnus of our university; he often returns to give lectures.
13
赖教授在生物学领域享有盛誉，经常受邀参加国际会议。

Lài jiàoshòu zài shēngwùxué lǐngyù xiǎngyǒu shèngyù, jīngcháng shòuyāo cānjiā guójì huìyì.

Professor Lai is renowned in the field of biology and is often invited to international conferences.
14
赖总裁的领导风格独特，公司业绩蒸蒸日上。

Lài zǒngcái de lǐngdǎo fēnggé dútè, gōngsī yèjì zhēngzhēng rì shàng.

CEO Lai has a unique leadership style, and the company's performance is steadily improving.
15
赖律师在法庭上的出色表现赢得了广泛赞誉。

Lài lǜshī zài fǎtíng shàng de chūsè biǎoxiàn yíngdéle guǎngfàn zànyù.

Lawyer Lai's outstanding performance in court has won widespread praise.
16
赖先生是我们公司的财务总监，他的管理能力令人赞赏。

Lài xiānsheng shì wǒmen gōngsī de cáiwù zǒngjiān, tā de guǎnlǐ nénglì lìngrén zànshǎng.

Mr. Lai is the financial director of our company, and his management skills are commendable.
17
赖先生是我们大学的校友，他经常回校演讲。

Lài xiānshēng shì wǒmen dàxué de xiàoyǒu, tā jīngcháng huí xiào yǎnjiǎng.

Mr. Lai is an alumnus of our university; he often returns to give lectures.
18
赖教授在生物学领域享有盛誉，经常受邀参加国际会议。

Lài jiàoshòu zài shēngwùxué lǐngyù xiǎngyǒu shèngyù, jīngcháng shòuyāo cānjiā guójì huìyì.

Professor Lai is renowned in the field of biology and is often invited to international conferences.
19
赖总裁的领导风格独特，公司业绩蒸蒸日上。

Lài zǒngcái de lǐngdǎo fēnggé dútè, gōngsī yèjì zhēngzhēng rì shàng.

CEO Lai has a unique leadership style, and the company's performance is steadily improving.
20
赖律师在法庭上的出色表现赢得了广泛赞誉。

Lài lǜshī zài fǎtíng shàng de chūsè biǎoxiàn yíngdéle guǎngfàn zànyù.

Lawyer Lai's outstanding performance in court has won widespread praise.

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Word Family of 赖

Compounds4
懒lan3variant of 懶
獭ta3otter
籁lai4bamboo flute; flute, pipe; a musical note
癞lai4leprosy; scabies, mange; shoddy
Words Containing This Character20
依赖yīlàito depend on依賴
赖làibad賴
不赖good不賴
信赖xìnlàito trust信賴
无赖wúlàihoodlum無賴
赖斯Rice (name)賴斯
赖床to have a lie-in賴床
有赖于to rely on有賴於
耍赖shuǎlàito act shamelessly耍賴
赖昌星Lai Changxing (1958-), notorious Xiamen mafia boss involved in large scale corruption and smuggling, extradited from Canada back to China in 2008賴昌星
抵赖to disavow抵賴
达赖喇嘛Dalai Lama達賴喇嘛
赖以to rely on賴以
赖安Ryan (name)賴安
赖账to renege on a debt賴賬
百无聊赖bored stiff百無聊賴
赖皮shameless賴皮
赖氨酸lysine (Lys), an essential amino acid賴氨酸
达赖the Dalai Lama達賴
赖特Wright (name)賴特
Exercise 1 of 4

Characters with 赖

What does 獭 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 赖

In a formal context, 赖 typically means to depend on someone or something, but it can also imply renege on promises.

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