ègùn: 恶棍 - Villain, Scoundrel, Rogue

• Keywords: egun, 恶棍, e gun, villain in Chinese, scoundrel in Chinese, bad guy in Chinese, how to say rogue in Chinese, 恶棍 meaning, Chinese antagonist, Chinese villain.
• Summary: Learn how to describe a villain or scoundrel in Chinese with our deep dive into the word 恶棍 (ègùn). This powerful term goes beyond a simple “bad guy,” evoking images of classic movie antagonists and morally corrupt rogues. This guide explores the meaning of 恶棍, breaks down its characters (恶 - evil, 棍 - stick), explains its cultural significance, and provides over 10 practical example sentences. Understand the difference between an 恶棍 and a a simple 坏人 (huàirén) to speak more precise and authentic Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): ègùn
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A (Considered an advanced-level word, appears in HSK 7-9 band materials)
• Concise Definition: A person who is morally wicked and often cruel or violent; a villain, scoundrel, or rogue.
• In a Nutshell: Think of the classic villain in an action movie or a historical drama—that's an `恶棍`. The word is strong and carries a sense of active, malicious intent. It’s more dramatic than simply calling someone a “bad person” (`坏人`). An `恶棍` is not just bad; they are a corrupt and contemptible individual, often with a thuggish or cruel streak.

• 恶 (è): This character means “evil,” “wicked,” or “vicious.” It's the standard character for all things morally bad. (Note: It has a second pronunciation, `wù`, which means “to hate” or “loathe,” but in `恶棍`, it's always `è`).
• 棍 (gùn): This character literally means “stick,” “rod,” or “club.” By itself, it can refer to a weapon or a tool.
• How they combine: The combination of “evil” (恶) and “stick” (棍) creates a vivid image. It suggests someone who is not just evil in their heart but is also a “blunt instrument”—a thug, a brute, someone who uses force or crude methods to achieve their wicked ends. It paints a picture of a villain who is both morally bankrupt and physically threatening or shameless.

In Chinese culture, particularly in traditional stories, dramas, and wuxia (武侠) novels, the line between good and evil is often drawn very clearly. The hero, or `英雄 (yīngxióng)`, embodies virtues like righteousness, loyalty, and justice. The `恶棍` is their direct opposite.

• Comparison to Western “Villains”: While “villain” is a good translation, the Western concept of an “anti-hero” or a “complex villain” with a sympathetic backstory is less common in the traditional Chinese archetype of the `恶棍`. An `恶棍` is typically evil for the sake of being evil, or for pure greed and power. They exist to disrupt social harmony and moral order, which are foundational values in Confucian-influenced societies. Calling someone an `恶棍` is a judgment not just on their actions, but on their fundamental lack of human decency (`人性 rénxìng`).

`恶棍` is a powerful and somewhat dramatic word. You'll hear it often, but its usage depends heavily on the context.

• In Media (Movies, TV, Books): This is the most common context. It's used to describe the main antagonist or any villainous character.
  • e.g., “In this movie, the hero must defeat a cruel 恶棍 to save the village.”
• In Serious Accusations: In a real-life argument, calling someone an `恶棍` is a very serious insult. It's not a word to be used lightly. It implies the person is completely without morals.
  • e.g., “He cheated my grandmother out of her life savings, he's a true 恶棍!”
• In Hyperbole and Joking: Among close friends, it can be used hyperbolically to mean “scoundrel” or “rascal” for a minor, selfish act. The tone of voice is key to showing it's a joke.
  • e.g., “You finished all the pizza? You 恶棍!” (Said with a laugh).

• Example 1:
  • 电影里的那个恶棍最终被英雄打败了。
  • Pinyin: Diànyǐng lǐ de nàge ègùn zuìzhōng bèi yīngxióng dǎbài le.
  • English: That villain in the movie was finally defeated by the hero.
  • Analysis: This is the classic usage of `恶棍`, referring to an antagonist in a fictional story.
• Example 2:
  • 他背叛了所有相信他的人，真是个无耻的恶棍。
  • Pinyin: Tā bèipànle suǒyǒu xiāngxìn tā de rén, zhēnshì ge wúchǐ de ègùn.
  • English: He betrayed everyone who believed in him; he's truly a shameless scoundrel.
  • Analysis: Here, `恶棍` is used as a serious accusation of profound moral failure. The addition of `无耻 (wúchǐ)`, meaning “shameless,” intensifies the insult.
• Example 3:
  • 别跟那个恶棍有任何来往，他会给你带来麻烦。
  • Pinyin: Bié gēn nàge ègùn yǒu rènhé láiwǎng, tā huì gěi nǐ dàilái máfan.
  • English: Don't have any dealings with that rogue; he'll bring you trouble.
  • Analysis: This is a strong warning. It characterizes the person as not just troublesome, but fundamentally bad and dangerous.
• Example 4:
  • 历史上，很多恶棍都曾伪装成好人。
  • Pinyin: Lìshǐ shàng, hěnduō ègùn dōu céng wěizhuāng chéng hǎorén.
  • English: Throughout history, many villains have disguised themselves as good people.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses `恶棍` to refer to villainous historical figures in a general, abstract sense.
• Example 5:
  • 那个欺负小同学的男孩被老师说成是“小恶棍”。
  • Pinyin: Nàge qīfù xiǎo tóngxué de nánhái bèi lǎoshī shuō chéng shì “xiǎo ègùn”.
  • English: The boy who bullied the younger students was called a “little scoundrel” by the teacher.
  • Analysis: The prefix `小 (xiǎo)`, meaning “little,” softens the term slightly, making it appropriate for a badly behaved child, akin to “little rascal” or “little terror.”
• Example 6:
  • 你把最后一块蛋糕吃了！你这个恶棍！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bǎ zuìhòu yí kuài dàngāo chī le! Nǐ zhège ègùn!
  • English: You ate the last piece of cake! You scoundrel!
  • Analysis: This is a perfect example of hyperbolic, informal usage between friends. The context and tone make it clear it's a joke.
• Example 7:
  • 警察正在追捕那个抢劫银行的恶棍。
  • Pinyin: Jǐngchá zhèngzài zhuībǔ nàge qiǎngjié yínháng de ègùn.
  • English: The police are pursuing that villain who robbed the bank.
  • Analysis: While official news reports might use more formal language like `犯罪嫌疑人 (fànzuì xiányírén)` (criminal suspect), `恶棍` can be used in general conversation or more dramatic news headlines to describe a criminal.
• Example 8:
  • 他到底是英雄还是恶棍，人们对此看法不一。
  • Pinyin: Tā dàodǐ shì yīngxióng háishì ègùn, rénmen duì cǐ kànfǎ bùyī.
  • English: Whether he is a hero or a villain, people have different opinions about it.
  • Analysis: This highlights the classic hero/villain dichotomy and shows how `恶棍` is the natural opposite of `英雄 (yīngxióng)`.
• Example 9:
  • 只有最卑鄙的恶棍才会对老人和孩子下手。
  • Pinyin: Zhǐyǒu zuì bēibǐ de ègùn cái huì duì lǎorén hé háizi xiàshǒu.
  • English: Only the most despicable villain would harm the elderly and children.
  • Analysis: The adjective `卑鄙 (bēibǐ)` (despicable, mean) is often paired with `恶棍` to emphasize the depth of their wickedness. `下手 (xiàshǒu)` means to “strike” or “lay hands on.”
• Example 10:
  • 他从一个受害者，慢慢转变成了故事里的恶棍。
  • Pinyin: Tā cóng yíge shòuhàizhě, mànmàn zhuǎnbiàn chéngle gùshì lǐ de ègùn.
  • English: He slowly transformed from a victim into the villain of the story.
  • Analysis: This shows the process of becoming an `恶棍`, suitable for literary analysis or character description.

• `恶棍 (ègùn)` vs. `坏人 (huàirén)`: This is the most important distinction for learners.
  • `坏人 (huàirén)` means “bad person.” It's a very general term. A child who lies is a `坏人`. Someone who is selfish can be a `坏人`.
  • `恶棍 (ègùn)` is much stronger and more specific. It implies active malice, cruelty, and a thuggish nature. A child is almost never a true `恶棍` (unless using “小恶棍” hyperbolically). `恶棍` is for villains, serious criminals, and truly immoral people.
  • Incorrect Usage: `他开会迟到了，真是个恶棍。` (Tā kāihuì chídào le, zhēnshì ge ègùn.) → “He was late to the meeting, what a villain.”
  • Why it's wrong: This is far too strong. Being late is a minor mistake. Unless you are joking with a close friend, this sounds ridiculous. The correct, milder term would be `他真不靠谱 (tā zhēn bú kàopǔ)` - “He's so unreliable.”
• `恶棍 (ègùn)` vs. `反派 (fǎnpài)`:
  • `反派 (fǎnpài)` literally means “opposite faction/character” and is the neutral, technical term for an “antagonist” in a story. It's the word you would use in a film class.
  • `恶棍 (ègùn)` is the *description* of that antagonist's character. So, a `反派` is often an `恶棍`. You can say “这个反派是个十足的恶棍” (This antagonist is a total scoundrel).

• 坏人 (huàirén) - “Bad person.” The most general term for someone who is bad. `恶棍` is a specific type of `坏人`.
• 英雄 (yīngxióng) - “Hero.” The cultural and narrative antonym of `恶棍`.
• 流氓 (liúmáng) - “Hooligan, gangster.” Refers to someone who engages in socially deviant behavior, harassment, or petty crime. It overlaps with `恶棍` but focuses more on thuggish actions than grand evil.
• 无赖 (wúlài) - “Scoundrel, rascal.” This term emphasizes a person's shamelessness, especially in breaking promises, refusing to pay debts, or acting unscrupulously.
• 恶霸 (èbà) - “Evil tyrant, local despot.” A more specific term for a villain who uses their power and influence to oppress people in a particular area, like a neighborhood or town.
• 反派 (fǎnpài) - “Antagonist, villain.” The formal term for the villain role in a story, play, or film.
• 坏蛋 (huàidàn) - “Bad egg.” A very common and colloquial synonym for `坏人`. It's informal and can be used for anyone from a real criminal to a naughty child.
• 歹徒 (dǎitú) - “Evildoer, gangster, criminal.” This term is often used by police or in the news to refer to a violent criminal, especially one who is armed. It's more formal and less emotional than `恶棍`.