also: むらい
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', na-adjective, noun
villainous; rascally; knavish
Describes a person or behavior that is lawless, unscrupulous, or ruffian-like. Often used in compounds like 無頼漢 (scoundrel) or 無頼の徒 (ruffians).
彼は無頼な生き方を選んだ。
He chose a lawless way of life.
その町は無頼の徒で溢れていた。
The town was full of ruffians.
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', na-adjective, noun
independent; self-reliant
Archaic sense for a person who relies on their own strength and does not submit to authority. Rare in modern Japanese; the villainous sense is now dominant.
古い文献では、無頼を「独立独歩の気概」と解することがある。
In old texts, 無頼 is sometimes interpreted as a spirit of independence and self-reliance.
Obsolete reading; it is out-dated kana usage.
From Middle Chinese-derived elements 無 (without) and 頼 (rely on), originally meaning 'having nothing to rely on' or 'self-reliant'. The shift to 'villainous' likely came from the idea of someone who does not depend on or respect social order.