Translation guide
The English word 'cruel' describes causing pain or suffering deliberately, or showing indifference to others' suffering. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 残酷な (zankoku na), but other words like ひどい (hidoi) and むごい (mugoi) are used depending on the nuance. This guide covers the main ways to express 'cruel' in Japanese, from describing cruel acts and people to expressing that something is harsh or merciless.
Describing an act, person, or situation that intentionally inflicts physical or emotional pain.
The most direct translation for 'cruel' in the sense of willfully causing suffering. Used for both people and actions. Often appears as 残酷な + noun or 残酷だ at the end of a sentence.
彼は残酷な方法で動物を扱った。
He treated the animal in a cruel way.
その話はあまりにも残酷だ。
That story is too cruel.
Similar to 残酷な but often implies a more visceral, brutal cruelty. Can be used for acts that are shockingly harsh or merciless.
むごい殺人事件が起きた。
A cruel murder case occurred.
Emphasizes brutality and a lack of mercy. Often used for violent, savage cruelty.
残忍な犯人はまだ捕まっていない。
The cruel criminal has not been caught yet.
Expressing that someone's words or actions are mean, harsh, or unkind, often in personal relationships.
The most common word for 'cruel' in casual, everyday contexts. It can mean 'terrible', 'awful', or 'mean'. Often used when someone is treated unfairly or spoken to harshly.
そんなことを言うなんてひどいよ。
It's cruel of you to say that.
彼女にひどいことをしてしまった。
I did something cruel to her.
Means cold-hearted or ruthless. Used when someone shows no emotion or sympathy while being cruel.
彼の冷酷な態度に傷ついた。
I was hurt by his cruel attitude.
Specifically means 'mean-spirited' or 'malicious'. Often used for petty cruelty, like teasing or bullying.
彼は意地悪な笑みを浮かべた。
He gave a cruel smile.
Describing something that is harsh and unforgiving, like fate, weather, or a system.
Means 'severe', 'harsh', or 'rigorous'. Often used for cruel conditions, environments, or treatment that is extremely difficult to endure.
過酷な運命に翻弄された。
They were toyed with by a cruel fate.
過酷な労働条件に耐えられない。
I can't endure the cruel working conditions.
Means 'heartless' or 'pitiless'. Often used for fate, nature, or rules that show no mercy.
無情な現実を突きつけられた。
I was confronted with the cruel reality.
Similar to 無情な, meaning 'merciless' or 'cold-hearted'. Often used in literary contexts.
非情な決断を下さなければならなかった。
I had to make a cruel decision.
Referring to someone who is cruel by nature.
The most straightforward way to say 'a cruel person'. Uses the adjective 残酷な + 人.
彼は残酷な人だ。
He is a cruel person.
Literally 'demon' or 'ogre', but used metaphorically for a cruel, heartless person. Often in phrases like 鬼のような人 (a demon-like person).
あの上司は鬼だ。
That boss is cruel (a demon).
A cold-hearted, ruthless person.
彼女は冷酷な人だという評判だ。
She has a reputation for being a cruel person.
残酷な (zankoku na) is used for serious, often intentional cruelty involving suffering. ひどい (hidoi) is broader and more common in daily life for anything terrible, mean, or harsh. Saying ひどい！ is a common exclamation like 'That's cruel!' or 'How awful!'.
In English, 'cruel' can be used lightly ('That's so cruel!'). In Japanese, 残酷な is quite strong and often implies real suffering. For minor meanness, use ひどい or 意地悪な instead.
彼が彼女を無視するなんてひどい。
It was cruel of him to ignore her.
その独裁者は囚人への残酷な扱いで知られていた。
The dictator was known for his cruel treatment of prisoners.
運命は時に残酷だ。
Fate can be cruel.