Translation guide
Describes a person who lacks sympathy, kindness, or emotional warmth; often implies cruelty or indifference to others' suffering.
Describing a person who is emotionally cold, unfeeling, or indifferent to others' pain.
The most common and versatile word for 'cold' in personality. Can describe someone who is unfriendly, indifferent, or unkind.
He is a coldhearted person.
I was hurt by her cold attitude.
Means 'cruel' or 'ruthless'. Stronger than 冷たい, implying a deliberate lack of mercy or compassion.
He made a coldhearted decision.
Means 'heartless' or 'unfeeling'. Often used for someone who lacks human warmth or fails to show expected compassion.
He's a coldhearted man.
Means 'merciless' or 'pitiless'. Emphasizes a lack of emotion or sympathy, often in a harsh or cruel way.
He hurled coldhearted words at me.
Literally 'cold-blooded'. Used for someone who acts without emotion or conscience, often in a calculated way.
A coldhearted murderer.
Describing behavior or demeanor that is distant, unaffectionate, or emotionally unavailable.
Again the most natural choice. Can refer to a cold look, tone, or general demeanor.
I was looked at with cold eyes.
Means 'curt', 'brusque', or 'cold' in a dismissive way. Often used when someone gives a short, unfriendly reply.
Loanword from English 'dry'. Means emotionally detached, unsentimental, or businesslike. Often used for a personality type.
He has a coldhearted personality.
冷たい is the most general and can range from 'unfriendly' to 'coldhearted'. 冷酷な implies active cruelty or ruthlessness. 薄情な focuses on a lack of human warmth or compassion, often in personal relationships.
a cold boss (unfriendly)
a ruthless boss (cruel)
a heartless lover
The phrase 'cold heart' is not directly translated as 冷たい心臓. Use adjectives like 冷たい or 冷酷な to describe a person or their actions.
そっけない返事だった。
It was a coldhearted reply.