ろくでなし

ろくでなし
noun
good-for-nothing; scoundrel; worthless person
informalperson
1. good-for-nothing; scoundrel; worthless person
A strong insult for someone considered useless, irresponsible, or morally worthless. Often used by frustrated family members or in dramatic contexts.
あいつろくでなしだ。
That guy is a good-for-nothing.
My good-for-nothing son racked up debts.
The father was a deadbeat who made no effort to take care of his family.

Usage

ろくでなし is a strong negative label for a person who is seen as worthless or irresponsible. It is commonly used when expressing frustration or contempt.

Etymology

From ろく ((ろく), meaning "satisfactory" or "decent") + でなし ("not being"). Literally "one who is not decent."

Common collocations

Similar words

ろくでもない is the adjectival form meaning "worthless" or "no good" and is more commonly used as a modifier. ごくつぶし also means a useless person, particularly someone who eats without contributing.