活该 huógāi serve somebody right
(colloquial) serve somebody right; deservedly; ought; should
How to remember 活该: 活 alive + 该 ought = serve somebody right.
Characters
How it is used
- Colloquial 'serves you right / it's your own fault' - 活该！(huógāi) serves you right!
- Blunt and a bit harsh; said when someone's misfortune is well-deserved: 谁让你不听话，活该 (nobody told you to disobey, serves you right).
- Spoken register only; can sound cold, so it's used among close people or with clear sarcasm.