冷酷

れいこく

cruelty, coldheartedness, ruthless

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"冷酷" describes a person or attitude that is emotionally cold, unfeeling, or callous. It often implies a lack of empathy or compassion, and can be used to describe someone's demeanor in difficult or interpersonal situations.

Common Contexts

This word is frequently used in describing characters in literature or film, especially villains or people who show no mercy. It can also describe real-life attitudes when someone is perceived as harsh or indifferent.

Collocations and Patterns

Nuance and Register

"冷酷" carries a negative connotation and is generally used in formal or literary contexts rather than casual speech. It is stronger than simply "冷淡" (indifferent) because it implies a harsher emotional coldness.

Common Confusion

Do not confuse "冷酷" with "冷静" (calm, composed). While both involve a sense of emotional control, "冷酷" emphasizes lack of compassion, whereas "冷静" is neutral or positive, indicating calmness.

Example Sentences

His cold and callous attitude made his colleagues feel afraid.

Facing difficulties, she acted very coldly, showing no emotion at all.

The villain characters in movies usually appear cold and ruthless.