èrwǔzǎi: 二五仔 - Traitor, Snitch, Rat, Informant

• Keywords: erwuzai, 二五仔, Chinese slang for traitor, snitch, rat, mole, backstabber, Cantonese slang, Chinese gangster terms, what does erwuzai mean, police informant
• Summary: “二五仔” (èrwǔzǎi) is a popular and highly negative Cantonese slang term for a traitor, snitch, or backstabber. Popularized by Hong Kong crime films, it describes someone who betrays their own group, gang, or company for personal gain, similar to a “rat” or “mole” in English. While it originated in Cantonese, it is now widely understood in Mandarin-speaking regions, carrying a strong connotation of disloyalty and treachery.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): èr wǔ zǎi
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: A traitor, snitch, or informant, especially within a group like a gang or company.
• In a Nutshell: “二五仔” is a powerful insult used to label someone a backstabber. Imagine a member of a close-knit group who secretly feeds information to rivals or the police—that person is a classic “二五仔”. The term is deeply rooted in Cantonese culture and the gangster movie genre, where loyalty is the ultimate virtue and betrayal is the most unforgivable sin. It feels much more personal and visceral than a formal word like “traitor.”

• 二 (èr): The number “two.” Here, it doesn't just mean the number but is part of a historical or cultural reference.
• 五 (wǔ): The number “five.” Like “two,” it's part of the set phrase.
• 仔 (zǎi): A common Cantonese suffix, often pronounced “zai” or “zi.” It's a diminutive that can mean “kid,” “son,” or is simply attached to nouns or adjectives to refer to a person, similar to “-er” or “-ie” in English (e.g., “shorty”).

The combination “二五” (two-five) is where the meaning comes from. While there are multiple origin stories, a popular one traces back to the Qing dynasty military. It's said that spies and informants were often found in the second and fifth divisions (or “banners”) of the army, making “two-five” synonymous with disloyalty. When you add the suffix “仔,” it becomes a label for a person: “the two-five guy,” or simply, “the traitor.”

The power of the term “二五仔” comes from the profound importance of loyalty (`忠義`, zhōngyì) and brotherhood (`兄弟情誼`, xiōngdì qíngyì) in Chinese culture. In many social structures, from family to business to social circles (and especially in fictional gangster societies), absolute loyalty to the group is expected. To betray one's “brothers” is the ultimate taboo. A Western equivalent like “snitch” or “rat” captures the essence of betrayal, but “二五仔” often carries a heavier weight tied to this specific cultural value of group loyalty. A “snitch” in a Western schoolyard might tell on a classmate for chewing gum. A “二五仔,” however, evokes images of a gangster selling out his entire crew to the police, leading to their arrest or death. The term is loaded with the cultural baggage seen in countless Hong Kong action films like *Infernal Affairs* (which was remade as *The Departed*), where the drama hinges on identifying the moles (`卧底`, wòdǐ) and traitors (`二五仔`) within the police and the triads.

“二五仔” is almost exclusively used in informal contexts and is always negative and insulting.

• In Arguments: It's a serious accusation to call someone a “二五仔” to their face. It implies they have committed a deep act of betrayal.
• In Gossip: People use it to describe someone who has backstabbed a friend or colleague, for example, by telling the boss about a co-worker's mistake to get ahead.
• Pop Culture: It's extremely common when discussing movies, TV shows, or video games, especially in the crime or wuxia genres. “Who do you think the `二五仔` is in the gang?”
• Joking: Among very close friends, it can be used hyperbolically as a joke. For example, if a friend reveals your embarrassing secret, you might jokingly call them a “二五仔.” This should be done with caution, as the word is still very strong.

While it's a Cantonese term, its prevalence in media has made it a loanword in Mandarin. You'll hear it used by Mandarin speakers, especially younger people, all over China, though it remains most common in the south.

• Example 1:
  • 我们中间出了个二五仔，把我们的计划全告诉了警察。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen zhōngjiān chū le ge èrwǔzǎi, bǎ wǒmen de jìhuà quán gàosù le jǐngchá.
  • English: There's a snitch among us; he told the police our entire plan.
  • Analysis: A classic usage in a criminal or conspiratorial context. It directly labels someone as a traitor who has caused serious harm to the group.
• Example 2:
  • 你这个二五仔！我那么相信你，你竟然出卖我！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zhège èrwǔzǎi! Wǒ nàme xiāngxìn nǐ, nǐ jìngrán chūmài wǒ!
  • English: You traitor! I trusted you so much, and you actually sold me out!
  • Analysis: This is a direct, emotional accusation. The tone is angry and hurt, highlighting the personal sense of betrayal.
• Example 3:
  • 在公司里要小心那种二五仔，他们会为了升职而出卖同事。
  • Pinyin: Zài gōngsī lǐ yào xiǎoxīn nà zhǒng èrwǔzǎi, tāmen huì wèile shēngzhí ér chūmài tóngshì.
  • English: Be careful of those backstabbers in the company; they'll sell out their colleagues for a promotion.
  • Analysis: This example applies the term to a corporate, white-collar setting. The core meaning of betraying the group for personal gain remains the same.
• Example 4:
  • 他这个人不可靠，看起来就像个二五仔。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhège rén bù kěkào, kàn qǐlái jiù xiàng ge èrwǔzǎi.
  • English: This guy isn't trustworthy, he looks like a snitch.
  • Analysis: Here, “二五仔” is used to describe someone's character or appearance, expressing suspicion and distrust.
• Example 5:
  • 别当二五仔是出来混的第一条规矩。
  • Pinyin: Bié dāng èrwǔzǎi shì chūlái hùn de dì-yī tiáo guījǔ.
  • English: “Don't be a rat” is the first rule of the streets.
  • Analysis: This sentence sounds like a line from a gangster movie, establishing the cultural code where loyalty is paramount. “出来混” means “to be out on the streets” or “to be in the game.”
• Example 6:
  • 我只是告诉妈妈你偷吃了饼干，别叫我二五仔！
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zhǐshì gàosù māma nǐ tōu chī le bǐnggān, bié jiào wǒ èrwǔzǎi!
  • English: I just told Mom you secretly ate the cookies, don't call me a snitch!
  • Analysis: This shows the humorous, hyperbolic use of the term in a low-stakes, informal situation between friends or siblings.
• Example 7:
  • 电影里的主角一直在寻找组织里的那个二五仔。
  • Pinyin: Diànyǐng lǐ de zhǔjué yīzhí zài xúnzhǎo zǔzhī lǐ de nàge èrwǔzǎi.
  • English: The main character in the movie is constantly searching for the mole in the organization.
  • Analysis: A common usage when discussing plots of films or books. It refers to the traitor whose identity is a mystery.
• Example 8:
  • 帮派老大最恨的就是二五仔。
  • Pinyin: Bāngpài lǎodà zuì hèn de jiùshì èrwǔzǎi.
  • English: What the gang boss hates most is a traitor.
  • Analysis: A simple, direct sentence stating a core value within a specific subculture. It underscores the severity of the term.
• Example 9:
  • 他被发现是敌对公司派来的二五仔后，马上就被开除了。
  • Pinyin: Tā bèi fāxiàn shì díduì gōngsī pài lái de èrwǔzǎi hòu, mǎshàng jiù bèi kāichú le.
  • English: After he was discovered to be a mole sent by a rival company, he was fired immediately.
  • Analysis: This example demonstrates the term's use in the context of corporate espionage.
• Example 10:
  • 你到底是哪边的？别做二五仔！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ dàodǐ shì nǎ biān de? Bié zuò èrwǔzǎi!
  • English: Whose side are you on anyway? Don't be a turncoat!
  • Analysis: A confrontational question that demands a declaration of loyalty and warns against betrayal.

• Mistake: Using it in Formal Situations. This is the biggest mistake. Never use “二五仔” in a business meeting, an academic paper, or when speaking to elders or superiors. It is highly informal, rude slang. The proper, formal term is `叛徒 (pàntú)`.
• Mistake: Confusing “二五仔” with a general “Bad Guy”. A “二五仔” is not just any criminal or bad person (`坏人`, huàirén). Their defining characteristic is betrayal from within. A bank robber is a `坏人`. The getaway driver who rats out his accomplices to get a lighter sentence is the `二五仔`. The disloyalty is key.
• Mistake: Overlooking its Cantonese Origin. While widely understood in Mandarin, remember it carries a strong flavor of Hong Kong/Cantonese pop culture. Using it can make you sound more familiar with modern slang, but it may sound slightly out of place in very traditional or northern Chinese contexts.

• 叛徒 (pàntú) - The formal, standard Mandarin word for “traitor.” It's used in political, military, and historical contexts. “二五仔” is the slangy, street-level equivalent.
• 内奸 (nèijiān) - A “mole,” “inside agent,” or “internal spy.” This term is more specific to espionage and intelligence contexts and is more neutral than “二五仔”.
• 卧底 (wòdǐ) - An undercover agent, typically a police officer who has infiltrated a criminal organization. This is often seen as the “good guy” version of an infiltrator, the opposite of a “二五仔” who betrays their own.
• 出卖 (chūmài) - A common verb meaning “to sell out” or “to betray,” often for personal gain. A “二五仔” is someone who `出卖`s their friends.
• 告密 (gàomì) - A verb meaning “to snitch” or “to inform on someone.” This is the action that a “二五仔” often takes.
• 忠义 (zhōngyì) - The cultural virtue of loyalty and righteousness. This is the core value that a “二五仔” violates.
• 背叛 (bèipàn) - The general verb for “to betray.” It can be used for betraying a person, a country, or a set of principles.
• 兄弟 (xiōngdì) - “Brothers.” In the context of “二五仔,” it often refers to a sworn brotherhood or the members of one's gang or close-knit group.