歹徒

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dǎitú: 歹徒 - Villain, Criminal, Evildoer

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: daitu, dǎitú, 歹徒, Chinese for villain, Chinese word for criminal, bad guy in Chinese, gangster, ruffian, evildoer in Chinese, how to say criminal in Chinese.
  • Summary: The Chinese word 歹徒 (dǎitú) is a common and important term for a “villain,” “criminal,” or “evildoer.” It refers to a person who commits a serious crime, often involving violence or the threat of violence. You will frequently encounter 歹徒 in news reports, police dramas, and public safety announcements. Understanding this term is essential for comprehending discussions about crime and justice in modern China.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): dǎitú
  • Part of Speech: Noun
  • HSK Level: HSK 5
  • Concise Definition: A villain, evildoer, or a criminal who uses or threatens violence.
  • In a Nutshell: Think of 歹徒 (dǎitú) as the standard word for the “bad guy” in a criminal situation. It's not for a naughty child or a mean boss; it's reserved for people committing actual crimes like robbery, assault, or kidnapping. It’s the person the police are chasing and the news is reporting on. The term carries a serious, negative tone and implies a threat to public safety.

Character Breakdown

  • 歹 (dǎi): This character means “evil,” “vicious,” or “bad.” Its ancient form is thought to depict a decaying bone or a corpse, giving it a strong association with death, decay, and negativity.
  • 徒 (tú): This character can mean “follower,” “disciple,” or simply “person.” It's also used in words like `学徒 (xuétú)` for “apprentice.”
  • Combined Meaning: When you put them together, 歹徒 (dǎitú) literally translates to an “evil person” or a “follower of the evil path.” This combination creates a powerful and unambiguous term for a person engaged in criminal activity.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • Formal vs. Informal “Bad Guys”: In Chinese, 歹徒 (dǎitú) occupies a specific space. Unlike the very general and often informal term `坏人 (huàirén)` (“bad person”), 歹徒 is more specific and formal. It describes someone in the act of committing a crime or someone identified as a criminal perpetrator. It's the standard term used by authorities and the media.
  • Comparison to Western Concepts: While 歹徒 can be translated as “villain,” “criminal,” or “thug,” it doesn't carry the exact same baggage as these English words.
    • “Villain” can sound dramatic or fictional, like a character in a movie. 歹徒 is for real-life crime.
    • “Thug” in modern American English can have racial and class-based undertones. 歹徒 is a neutral descriptor of a criminal's actions, regardless of their background.
    • “Criminal” in English can refer to anyone who has broken the law, even after they are in prison. In Chinese, `罪犯 (zuìfàn)` is the legal term for a convicted criminal. 歹徒 is more often used to describe the person during or immediately after the crime, before they have been legally processed. It's the perpetrator, the assailant, the person on the loose.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • In the News: This is the most common place you'll see 歹徒. News reports about robberies, assaults, or other violent crimes will almost always use this term to describe the perpetrator(s). For example, “持枪歹徒” (chíqiāng dǎitú) means “armed gunman/criminal.”
  • Police and Public Safety: Police reports, public safety warnings, and official announcements use 歹徒 to refer to criminals. A sign might warn you to “谨防歹徒” (jǐnfáng dǎitú) - “Beware of criminals.”
  • Everyday Conversation: While it's a formal-sounding word, people use it in conversation when discussing a serious crime. If a neighbor's house was burgled, someone might say, “警察抓到那个歹徒了吗？” (Jǐngchá zhuādào nàge dǎitú le ma?) - “Did the police catch that criminal?”
  • Connotation: The connotation is always strongly negative. There is no neutral or positive way to use 歹徒. It is a term of condemnation.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 警察成功抓获了三名歹徒。
    • Pinyin: Jǐngchá chénggōng zhuāhuò le sān míng dǎitú.
    • English: The police successfully captured three criminals.
    • Analysis: A very common and standard usage, typical of a news report or official statement. `抓获 (zhuāhuò)` is a formal verb for “to capture.”
  • Example 2:
    • 一名蒙面歹徒冲进银行，要求大家不许动。
    • Pinyin: Yī míng méngmiàn dǎitú chōng jìn yínháng, yāoqiú dàjiā bùxǔ dòng.
    • English: A masked villain rushed into the bank and demanded that no one move.
    • Analysis: This sentence paints a classic crime scene. `蒙面 (méngmiàn)` means “masked,” a common adjective used with 歹徒.
  • Example 3:
    • 遇到歹徒时，要保持冷静，生命安全最重要。
    • Pinyin: Yùdào dǎitú shí, yào bǎochí lěngjìng, shēngmìng ānquán zuì zhòngyào.
    • English: When you encounter a criminal, you must remain calm; life and safety are the most important things.
    • Analysis: This is an example of advice or a public safety announcement. It shows how the term is used in preventative contexts.
  • Example 4:
    • 那个勇敢的市民与歹徒进行了搏斗。
    • Pinyin: Nàge yǒnggǎn de shìmín yǔ dǎitú jìnxíng le bódòu.
    • English: That brave citizen fought with the evildoer.
    • Analysis: Here, 歹徒 is contrasted with a `勇敢的市民 (yǒnggǎn de shìmín)`, a “brave citizen,” highlighting the clear good-vs-evil dynamic.
  • Example 5:
    • 新闻里说，持刀歹徒已经被警方控制。
    • Pinyin: xīnwén lǐ shuō, chídāo dǎitú yǐjīng bèi jǐngfāng kòngzhì.
    • English: The news said that the knife-wielding assailant has already been brought under control by the police.
    • Analysis: `持刀 (chídāo)` means “knife-wielding.” This shows how you can specify the type of weapon the 歹徒 is using.
  • Example 6:
    • 他在电影里总是扮演歹徒的角色。
    • Pinyin: Tā zài diànyǐng lǐ zǒngshì bànyǎn dǎitú de juésè.
    • English: He always plays the role of the villain in movies.
    • Analysis: This shows that 歹徒 can also be used to describe fictional characters, similar to the English word “villain.”
  • Example 7:
    • 多个歹徒合伙抢劫了那家珠宝店。
    • Pinyin: Duō ge dǎitú héhuǒ qiǎngjié le nà jiā zhūbǎo diàn.
    • English: Multiple criminals worked together to rob that jewelry store.
    • Analysis: Demonstrates that 歹徒 can be used for a group of criminals. `合伙 (héhuǒ)` means to “partner up” or “collude.”
  • Example 8:
    • 这个地区的居民都害怕歹徒的报复。
    • Pinyin: Zhège dìqū de jūmín dōu hàipà dǎitú de bàofù.
    • English: The residents of this area are all afraid of retaliation from the gangsters.
    • Analysis: This example highlights the fear and threat that the term 歹徒 implies.
  • Example 9:
    • 歹徒最终会受到法律的严惩。
    • Pinyin: Dǎitú zuìzhōng huì shòudào fǎlǜ de yánchéng.
    • English: Evildoers will ultimately receive severe punishment under the law.
    • Analysis: A general, moralistic statement about justice, suitable for a formal speech or article.
  • Example 10:
    • 她描述了歹徒的长相，帮助警察破案。
    • Pinyin: Tā miáoshù le dǎitú de zhǎngxiàng, bāngzhù jǐngchá pò'àn.
    • English: She described the appearance of the criminal, helping the police solve the case.
    • Analysis: This shows a practical usage in the context of a police investigation. `破案 (pò'àn)` means “to solve a criminal case.”

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • Mistake: Using for Minor Offenses. Do not call a child who lies or a person who cuts in line a 歹徒. This term is reserved for serious lawbreakers. For minor issues, you would use `没礼貌的人 (méi lǐmào de rén)` (impolite person) or `淘气鬼 (táoqìguǐ)` (naughty child). Using 歹徒 for a small transgression would be overly dramatic and incorrect.
  • False Friend: `歹徒` vs. `坏人 (huàirén)` (“Bad Person”). A `坏人` is anyone you consider morally bad. Your cheating ex-boyfriend could be a `坏人`. A corrupt politician could be a `坏人`. A 歹徒 is specifically a criminal perpetrator. A 歹徒 is always a `坏人`, but a `坏人` is not necessarily a 歹徒.
  • `歹徒` vs. `罪犯 (zuìfàn)` (“Convicted Criminal”). This is a key distinction. 歹徒 refers to the perpetrator, often during or right after the crime. `罪犯` is a legal term for someone who has been tried and convicted. A person is a 歹徒 when they are robbing the bank; they become a `罪犯` after the judge sentences them to prison.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • `坏人 (huàirén)` - A very broad term for a “bad person.” Less specific and less formal than 歹徒.
  • `罪犯 (zuìfàn)` - The legal term for a “(convicted) criminal.” Refers to someone's legal status after a trial.
  • `暴徒 (bàotú)` - A “rioter” or “thug.” This term emphasizes violence, chaos, and often mob behavior.
  • `匪徒 (fěitú)` - “Bandit” or “gangster.” Often implies an organized, armed group, and has a slightly more “old-fashioned” or “outlaw” feel than 歹徒.
  • `强盗 (qiángdào)` - A “robber” or “bandit.” Specifically refers to someone who robs, often with force.
  • `小偷 (xiǎotōu)` - A “thief” or “pilferer.” Refers to someone who steals, usually by stealth rather than violence.
  • `凶手 (xiōngshǒu)` - A “murderer” or “assassin.” This is the specific word for someone who has killed another person.
  • `黑社会 (hēishèhuì)` - Lit. “black society.” Refers to organized crime, the mafia, or the criminal underworld. A member could be called a 歹徒.