How to say "cruelty" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 冷酷れいこくna-adjective, nounCovers cruelty as a cold, ruthless disposition or manner — being heartless and unrelenting toward others. It describes a person's character or attitude rather than specific harmful acts.
- 虐待ぎゃくたいsuru verb, transitive verb, no-adjectiveCovers cruelty as concrete acts of abuse or ill-treatment, such as mistreating children, animals, or others in one's power. When 'cruelty' refers to behavior you can report or punish, this is the word.
- 無情むじょうna-adjective, no-adjectiveCovers cruelty in the sense of heartlessness or hardness of heart — a lack of feeling or compassion. It emphasizes emotional coldness, and is somewhat less direct as a word for 'cruelty' itself.
Use 冷酷 for cold, ruthless cruelty of character or behavior, 虐待 for cruelty as acts of abuse or ill-treatment of people or animals, and 無情 for heartless, unfeeling cruelty.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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