Translation guide
Describes a person or behavior that is emotionally hardened, unfeeling, or indifferent to the suffering of others. Japanese expressions range from direct adjectives to idiomatic phrases.
Describing someone who lacks empathy or is insensitive to others' pain.
Means 'cold, indifferent, callous.' Commonly used for a person's attitude or treatment of others.
He is callous toward people in trouble.
Literally 'heartless, ruthless.' Stronger than 冷淡, implying a lack of compassion.
I was shocked by her callous attitude.
Means 'cruel, cold-hearted.' Often used for deliberate cruelty or harshness.
His callous words hurt her.
Idiomatic: 'without blood or tears,' meaning completely heartless and callous.
I can't forgive such a callous act.
Showing a lack of concern for others' hardships.
Means 'lacking compassion/consideration.' A common, natural way to describe callousness.
He has few friends because he's callous.
Means 'apathetic, indifferent.' Focuses on lack of interest rather than active cruelty.
Literally 'doesn't feel pain.' Can metaphorically describe someone emotionally numb or callous.
Describing skin that is thick and hardened, like a callus.
冷淡 (reitan) is cold indifference, often in social situations. 冷酷 (reikoku) implies active cruelty or harshness. 無情 (mujou) is heartlessness, often used in literary or dramatic contexts.
There is no single Japanese adjective that perfectly matches 'callous' in all contexts. Use phrases like 思いやりがない or 冷淡な態度 depending on the nuance.
彼の無関心な態度が問題だ。
His callous indifference is the problem.
He seems callous to others' pain.
My fingers are callous from playing guitar.