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| 地痞 [2025/08/13 10:13] – created xiaoer | 地痞 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 |
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| ====== dìpī: 地痞 - Local Thug, Hooligan, Rascal ====== | |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | |
| * **Keywords:** dìpī, 地痞, what does dipi mean, Chinese for thug, Chinese hooligan, local ruffian in Chinese, 地痞 meaning, 地痞 pinyin, 地痞 translation, Chinese gangster, Chinese bully, 流氓, 小混混 | |
| * **Summary:** "地痞" (dìpī) is a common Chinese noun used to describe a **local thug, hooligan, or ruffian**. The term specifically refers to low-level bullies who use intimidation and petty crime to exert control over a particular neighborhood or area. Unlike a high-level gangster, a `地痞` operates on a small scale, preying on ordinary citizens and small businesses. Understanding `地痞` is key to grasping a common character archetype in Chinese society and media, representing the abuse of local power at a grassroots level. | |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** dìpī | |
| * **Part of Speech:** Noun | |
| * **HSK Level:** N/A | |
| * **Concise Definition:** A local thug or hooligan who bullies people in a specific area. | |
| * **In a Nutshell:** Imagine a neighborhood bully who never grew up. A `地痞` is someone who uses their long-term presence in a place to their advantage, intimidating shopkeepers, picking fights, and generally making life difficult for others. They aren't part of a sophisticated crime syndicate; they are simply the local troublemakers who rely on fear and their familiarity with the turf to get what they want. The key feeling is one of localized, petty tyranny. | |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | |
| * **地 (dì):** This character means "earth," "ground," or "land." In this context, it takes on the meaning of "local" or "regional," emphasizing that this person's influence is tied to a specific place or turf. | |
| * **痞 (pǐ):** This character means "rascal," "scoundrel," or "hooligan." It contains the "sickness" radical (疒), suggesting something is morally or socially unwell or abnormal. | |
| * **Combined Meaning:** The characters literally combine to mean "local rascal" or "land scoundrel." The word `地痞` perfectly captures the idea of a person whose troublemaking and bad character (`痞`) are confined to a specific geographic area (`地`). | |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | |
| The `地痞` is a classic antagonist in Chinese culture, appearing frequently in films, TV dramas, and literature. They represent a breakdown of social harmony at the most local level. | |
| In Western culture, the closest equivalents might be a "small-time crook," "neighborhood bully," or "local hoodlum." However, the Chinese term `地痞` carries a stronger emphasis on the **local (`地`) connection**. A Western "thug" could be anyone, anywhere. A `地痞`, by definition, operates on their home turf. Their power, however minimal, comes from their deep-rooted presence. Everyone in the neighborhood knows who they are, which is both the source of their power and its limitation. | |
| This concept subtly reflects the importance of community and place in Chinese society. A person's identity is often tied to their hometown or neighborhood. The `地痞` is a corruption of this, a "bad element" who exploits their local status rather than contributing to the community's well-being. They are the opposite of a respected local elder or helpful neighbor. | |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | |
| * **Connotation:** Exclusively negative and insulting. It is a strong accusation of being a bullying, low-life criminal. | |
| * **Formality:** Generally informal. You would use it in conversation, see it in news articles about petty crime, or find it in fiction. In a formal legal proceeding, a more specific term like `犯罪嫌疑人 (fànzuì xiányírén)` (criminal suspect) would be used. | |
| * **Usage Scenarios:** | |
| * **Complaining:** People use it to complain about troublemakers in their community. "That group of `地痞` is making trouble at the market again." | |
| * **Describing Characters:** It's used to describe a character in a story or a real person's demeanor. "He walks and talks like a `地痞`." | |
| * **News Reporting:** Often used by journalists to describe arrested low-level criminals who terrorized a specific area. | |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | |
| **Example 1:** | |
| * 警察逮捕了几个欺行霸市的**地痞**。 | |
| * Pīnyīn: Jǐngchá dàibǔle jǐ ge qīhángbàshì de **dìpī**. | |
| * English: The police arrested a few **local thugs** who were dominating the market and bullying others. | |
| * Analysis: `欺行霸市 (qīhángbàshì)` is a chengyu (idiom) that means "to bully other vendors and monopolize the market." It's a classic action associated with a `地痞`. | |
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| **Example 2:** | |
| * 他从小就是个**地痞**，整天游手好闲。 | |
| * Pīnyīn: Tā cóngxiǎo jiùshì ge **dìpī**, zhěng tiān yóushǒuhàoxián. | |
| * English: He's been a **local rascal** since he was a kid, just idling around all day. | |
| * Analysis: This sentence connects being a `地痞` with the behavior of being `游手好闲 (yóushǒuhàoxián)`, or "fooling around and avoiding work." | |
| ---- | |
| **Example 3:** | |
| * 别理那个**地痞**，他就是想找麻烦。 | |
| * Pīnyīn: Bié lǐ nàge **dìpī**, tā jiùshì xiǎng zhǎo máfan. | |
| * English: Ignore that **local thug**; he's just looking for trouble. | |
| * Analysis: A common piece of advice. This shows `地痞` used in everyday conversation as a warning. | |
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| **Example 4:** | |
| * 这个**地痞**向周围的店家收取保护费。 | |
| * Pīnyīn: Zhège **dìpī** xiàng zhōuwéi de diànjiā shōuqǔ bǎohùfèi. | |
| * English: This **local thug** collects protection money from the surrounding shops. | |
| * Analysis: Collecting `保护费 (bǎohùfèi)` or "protection money" is a stereotypical activity of a `地痞`. | |
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| **Example 5:** | |
| * 他说话的口气就像个**地痞**一样。 | |
| * Pīnyīn: Tā shuōhuà de kǒuqì jiù xiàng ge **dìpī** yíyàng. | |
| * English: The way he talks is just like a **hooligan**. | |
| * Analysis: This shows that `地痞` can be used to describe someone's behavior or mannerisms, not just their official "role" as a criminal. | |
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| **Example 6:** | |
| * 我们必须清除这些危害社会安宁的**地痞**流氓。 | |
| * Pīnyīn: Wǒmen bìxū qīngchú zhèxiē wēihài shèhuì ānníng de **dìpī** liúmáng. | |
| * English: We must get rid of these **hooligans and scoundrels** who endanger the peace of society. | |
| * Analysis: `地痞流氓 (dìpī liúmáng)` is a very common four-character combination that functions as a single unit meaning "hooligans," "ruffians," or "scoundrels." | |
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| **Example 7:** | |
| * 他看起来文质彬彬的，没想到竟然是个**地痞**。 | |
| * Pīnyīn: Tā kànqǐlái wénzhìbīnbīn de, méi xiǎngdào jìngrán shì ge **dìpī**. | |
| * English: He looks so gentle and refined, I can't believe he's actually a **thug**. | |
| * Analysis: This sentence uses contrast to highlight the surprise of discovering someone's true nature. `文质彬彬 (wénzhìbīnbīn)` means "refined and gentle." | |
| ---- | |
| **Example 8:** | |
| * 那片旧城区有很多**地痞**，晚上最好不要一个人去。 | |
| * Pīnyīn: Nà piàn jiù chéngqū yǒu hěn duō **dìpī**, wǎnshang zuìhǎo bùyào yí ge rén qù. | |
| * English: There are a lot of **local thugs** in that old part of the city; it's best not to go alone at night. | |
| * Analysis: This provides practical context, associating the presence of `地痞` with a specific type of location (an old, possibly run-down area) and time. | |
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| **Example 9:** | |
| * 他因为在酒吧闹事，被当成**地痞**抓了起来。 | |
| * Pīnyīn: Tā yīnwèi zài jiǔbā nàoshì, bèi dàngchéng **dìpī** zhuā le qǐlái. | |
| * English: He was arrested as a **hooligan** for causing trouble in a bar. | |
| * Analysis: This sentence shows a specific action, `闹事 (nàoshì)` or "causing a disturbance," that would lead to someone being labeled a `地痞`. | |
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| **Example 10:** | |
| * 你再这样蛮不讲理，跟**地痞**有什么区别？ | |
| * Pīnyīn: Nǐ zài zhèyàng mánbùjiǎnglǐ, gēn **dìpī** yǒu shénme qūbié? | |
| * English: If you keep being so unreasonable, what's the difference between you and a **thug**? | |
| * Analysis: This is a rhetorical question used as a sharp criticism, comparing someone's unreasonable behavior (`蛮不讲理 mánbùjiǎnglǐ`) to that of a `地痞`. | |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | |
| * **Don't confuse `地痞` with `黑社会` (hēishèhuì).** A `地痞` is a small-time, local bully. `黑社会` refers to organized crime, the mafia, or triads—a much more serious and structured form of criminality. A `地痞` might extort a single street vendor; a `黑社会` could control an entire industry. | |
| * **The "local" (`地`) aspect is crucial.** If you are talking about a general scoundrel or someone who is lewd or roguish but not necessarily tied to a turf, the word [[流氓]] (liúmáng) might be more fitting on its own. However, they are often used together as `地痞流氓`. | |
| * **This is a very strong insult.** Never call someone a `地痞` unless you intend to seriously accuse them of being a criminal bully. It is not a playful or light-hearted term. | |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | |
| * [[流氓]] (liúmáng) - Hooligan, rogue. A very close synonym, but `流氓` can focus more on lewd or roguish behavior, while `地痞` focuses on local intimidation. Often paired together. | |
| * [[小混混]] (xiǎo hùnhun) - Petty hoodlum, punk. A more modern and colloquial term, very similar to `地痞` but often implying a younger age group. | |
| * [[恶霸]] (èbà) - Evil tyrant, local despot. This is a step up from a `地痞`. An `恶霸` holds more significant, oppressive power over a town or area. | |
| * [[无赖]] (wúlài) - Scoundrel, rascal. Describes someone who is shameless and refuses to play by the rules, often to get out of obligations. Less about physical intimidation and more about being shamelessly difficult. | |
| * [[黑社会]] (hēishèhuì) - Organized crime, mafia, "the black society." The highest level of criminal organization, far beyond the scope of a simple `地痞`. | |
| * [[打手]] (dǎshǒu) - Hired thug, enforcer, goon. This term describes a function—someone hired to fight. A `地痞` might act as his own `打手`, or hire one. | |
| * [[欺负]] (qīfu) - To bully, to pick on. This is the primary verb describing the action of a `地痞`. | |