不 (bù): A negative prefix, meaning “not” or “no.”
良 (liáng): Means “good,” “fine,” or “virtuous.” It often refers to a person's inherent character or quality.
少 (shào): Means “young” or “youth.” (Note the tone is `shào` here, not the more common `shǎo` meaning “few”).
年 (nián): Means “year” or “age.”
The characters combine logically: 不良 (bùliáng) means “not good,” “bad,” or “of poor quality.” 少年 (shàonián) means “youth” or “young person” (typically male, aged 12-18). Together, 不良少年 (bùliáng shàonián) forms the direct and unambiguous phrase “not-good young person” or “bad-quality youth.”
In Chinese culture, a young person's primary role is to study diligently, show filial piety (孝顺, xiàoshùn), and bring honor to their family, often culminating in success in the high-stakes college entrance exam (高考, gāokǎo). The “不良少年” is the antithesis of this ideal.
Violation of Social Contract: Their delinquency is not just a personal failing but a public one. It's seen as a rejection of their responsibilities to their family, their school, and society. The shame associated with being a “不良少年” is immense and extends to their parents.
Comparison to the American “Rebel”: The American concept of a “rebel” or “bad boy” (think James Dean in “Rebel Without a Cause”) can be romanticized, viewed as a cool, anti-establishment figure who is charismatic and attractive. The Chinese “不良少年” is rarely seen this way. The label is almost universally negative, associated with failure, shame, and a lack of future prospects. While a character in a movie might be a “不良少年” with a heart of gold, in real life, the label is a serious indictment of one's character and upbringing. It's less about “coolness” and more about being a “social problem.”