Translation guide
The English word 'brute' can refer to a violent, cruel person, a physically strong but unintelligent person, or an animal. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Describing a person who is savage, ruthless, or behaves like a beast.
Literally 'barbarian', this is a common way to call someone a brute in the sense of being uncivilized and violent.
Describing a person who relies on physical strength rather than brains, often in a thuggish or simple-minded way.
Slang combining 'brain' and 'muscle', meaning someone who solves everything with brute force and doesn't think. Very common in casual speech.
Referring to a non-human animal, especially a large, powerful, or wild one.
General word for 'beast' or 'wild animal'. Can be used literally for animals or metaphorically for people.
There is no direct one-to-one Japanese word that covers all uses of 'brute'. Choose the expression based on whether you mean a violent person, a stupidly strong person, or an animal. Using 野蛮人 for a dumb strong person may sound odd, and 脳筋 for a violent criminal may be too light.
彼はまるで野蛮人のように振る舞った。
He acted like a complete brute.
Means 'beast' or 'animal'. Used metaphorically for a person who acts on base instincts, especially in a cruel or violent way.
A guy like that is no better than a brute.
Literally 'not a person', this is a strong insult for someone who lacks humanity, often used for cruel or heartless brutes.
Doing something like that... you're a brute.
Means 'tyrant'. Used for a brute who rules through violence and oppression, often in a political or domestic context.
He was a brute at home.
That guy is a brute, so you can't reason with him.
Literally 'a person who relies on brute strength'. Describes someone who uses force instead of skill or intelligence.
He's a brute and not good at delicate tasks.
From 'gorioshi' (pushing through by force), this describes someone who bulldozes their way without finesse.
He's a brute who just forces his way through negotiations.
I saw a huge brute in the forest.
Specifically 'wild beast' or 'savage animal'. Emphasizes the untamed, ferocious nature.
The dog barked like a brute.