How to say "ruthless" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 残酷ざんこくna-adjective, nounCovers 'ruthless' in its broad sense of cruel, pitiless treatment; the general choice when an act, measure, or person inflicts suffering without mercy.
- 無残むざんna-adjective, nounTypically describes the atrocious result or manner of a merciless act — being killed or defeated outright — rather than a ruthless personality; seldom the word for a cold, calculating person.
- 冷酷れいこくna-adjective, nounBest matches the cold, unfeeling sense of 'ruthless': a person who pursues a goal or makes decisions without pity or emotion; near 'coldhearted' and 'relentless'.
- 残忍ざんにんna-adjective, nounPoints to savage, brutal cruelty — the ruthless violence of a brutal crime or criminal — stressing ferocity rather than cold calculation.
Choose 残酷 for cruelty in general, 冷酷 for cold, unfeeling ruthlessness in pursuit of a goal, 残忍 for savage, brutal cruelty, and 無残 chiefly for merciless, atrocious outcomes rather than character.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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