Translation guide
Describes a person or action lacking empathy, compassion, or kindness. Japanese expressions range from direct adjectives to nuanced phrases about coldness or cruelty.
Describing a person or action that is unkind and shows no concern for others' feelings.
A common adjective meaning cold-hearted, cruel, or ruthless. Used for people and actions.
Describing someone who is emotionally distant, indifferent, or unresponsive to others' feelings.
Describing actions or words that are deliberately mean or hurtful.
A very common word meaning cruel, harsh, or terrible. Used for heartless actions or treatment.
The English word 'heartless' is often translated directly as 心がない, but this can sound childish or overly dramatic. In most contexts, 冷たい or 冷酷 are more natural.
冷たい is a general term for coldness and can be used for everyday indifference. 冷酷 implies a deeper, more deliberate cruelty and is stronger.
彼は冷酷な人間だ。
He is a heartless person.
それは冷酷な決断だった。
That was a heartless decision.
Means cold-hearted or unfeeling, often implying a lack of emotional warmth or loyalty.
薄情な態度を取る。
To take a heartless attitude.
Literally 'without emotion', used for heartless or pitiless actions, often in a dramatic or literary context.
無情な仕打ちを受けた。
I received heartless treatment.
Literally 'has no heart', a direct way to say someone is heartless. Casual and emphatic.
あの人は心がない。
That person is heartless.
Means heartless or unfeeling, often used in formal or literary contexts. Can imply impartiality without mercy.
非情な現実を受け入れる。
To accept the heartless reality.
Literally 'cold', but commonly used for a person who is cold-hearted or indifferent. Very natural in everyday speech.
Means indifferent, cool, or apathetic. Often used for a lack of warmth or sympathy in attitude.
冷淡な対応に失望した。
I was disappointed by the heartless response.
Idiom meaning 'has neither blood nor tears', i.e., completely heartless and unfeeling. Emphatic and dramatic.
彼は血も涙もない。
He is utterly heartless.
ひどいことを言わないで。
Don't say such heartless things.
それはひどい仕打ちだ。
That's heartless treatment.
Means cruel or brutal. Stronger than ひどい, often used for severe heartlessness.
残酷な言葉を投げつける。
To hurl heartless words.