How to say "heartless" in Japanese

• ひどいJLPT N4approx.Common
  i-adjectiveThe general adjective for the cruel, harsh sense of 'heartless': behavior or treatment that is simply terrible to endure. Use it when 'heartless' amounts to 'cruel, unfair, awful' rather than emotionally cold.
• 冷厳れいげんCommon
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'heartless' as grim, stern, and unfeeling: a cold severity of manner or attitude, or a stark situation that allows no warmth or mercy. Closer to 'stern and unrelenting' than actively cruel.
• 殺生せっしょうCommon
  na-adjectiveCovers 'heartless' as cruel, callous, and brutal: merciless conduct that inflicts suffering without pity. The word's root meaning is the killing of living things, which colors it with a strong sense of brutality.
• 冷淡れいたんJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'heartless' as cold-hearted: an unfeeling, indifferent attitude that lacks warmth, sympathy, or interest in others. Choose it when the point is emotional coldness rather than active cruelty.

Choose 「ひどい」 for cruel or harsh treatment, 冷厳 for grim, stern severity, 殺生 for callous, brutal cruelty, and 冷淡 for cold-hearted indifference and lack of sympathy.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• ひどいcruel
• 冷厳れいげんgrim
• 因業いんごうheartless
• 非人情ひにんじょうheartless
• 薄情はくじょうunfeeling
• 血も涙もないちもなみだもないcold-blooded
• 冷血漢れいけつかんcold-blooded person
• 残忍酷薄ざんにんこくはくcruel
• 性格が悪いせいかくがわるいnasty
• 性格悪いせいかくわるいnasty
• ドイヒーcruel
• 情け知らずなさけしらずcoldhearted
• 殺生せっしょうcruel
• 冷淡れいたんcold