repudiate a debt; go back on one's word
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesverb
to repudiate a debt; to refuse to pay what one owes; to go back on one's word
Originally refers to refusing to repay debts by denying the debt or claiming it has already been paid. Extended to mean breaking a promise or failing to honor one's commitments.
Nǐ你
shuō说
de的
huà话
yào要
suàn算
huà话
，
bù不
néng能
lài赖
zhàng账
。
You must keep your word and cannot go back on your promise.
Tā他
jiè借
le了
qián钱
jiù就
lài赖
zhàng账
，
shuō说
cóng从
lái来
méi没
jiè借
guò过
。
He borrowed money but now refuses to pay it back, claiming he never borrowed it.
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Zuò做
shēng生
yì意
yào要
jiǎng讲
xìn信
yòng用
，
bù不
néng能
lài赖
zhàng账
。
In business, you must honor your credit and cannot default on debts.
Qiān签
le了
hé合
tóng同
jiù就
bù不
néng能
lài赖
zhàng账
。
Once you've signed the contract, you can't back out.