Translation guide
The quality of being cruel, unfeeling, or lacking compassion. In Japanese, this is expressed through nouns, adjectives, and descriptive phrases that convey coldness, cruelty, or emotional detachment.
Describing a person, action, or attitude that is cruel and unfeeling.
A common noun/adjective meaning 'cruelty' or 'cold-heartedness'. It implies a lack of emotion or mercy.
彼の冷酷な態度に驚いた。
I was shocked by his heartless attitude.
その決定は冷酷だ。
That decision is heartless.
Means 'heartlessness' or 'pitilessness'. Often used in literary or dramatic contexts.
彼女の無情な言葉に傷ついた。
I was hurt by her heartless words.
Means 'heartless' or 'cold-hearted', often implying a lack of loyalty or affection.
薄情な友達だ。
He's a heartless friend.
Means 'heartless' or 'merciless', often used in formal or literary contexts.
非情な現実を受け入れるしかない。
We have no choice but to accept the heartless reality.
Describing someone who is emotionally distant or unfeeling.
Literally 'cold', but commonly used to describe a person who is emotionally cold or heartless.
彼は冷たい人だ。
He is a cold-hearted person.
冷たい態度を取らないで。
Don't be so cold.
Means 'indifferent' or 'cold', often used for a detached, uncaring attitude.
Emphasizing the cruel or brutal aspect of heartlessness.
Means 'cruel' or 'brutal'. It implies a willingness to cause suffering.
残酷な仕打ちを受けた。
I received heartless treatment.
彼は残酷なことを平気で言う。
He says cruel things without batting an eye.
Means 'merciless' or 'pitiless', often used in a more dramatic or literary sense.
Describing an action or decision that shows a lack of compassion.
Literally 'has no heart', a direct and common way to say someone is heartless.
あんなことをするなんて、心がない。
Doing something like that, he has no heart.
Idiom meaning 'cold-blooded' or 'heartless', literally 'has neither blood nor tears'.
彼は血も涙もない人間だ。
He is a heartless person.
冷酷 (reikoku) is a stronger, more formal word for 'heartless' or 'cruel', while 冷たい (tsumetai) is an everyday word for 'cold' that can also describe a person's attitude. Use 冷たい for casual situations and 冷酷 for serious condemnation.
The English word 'heartless' is often translated as 心がない (kokoro ga nai), but this can sound childish or overly dramatic in some contexts. For most situations, 冷たい or 冷酷 are more natural.
彼の冷淡な返事にがっかりした。
I was disappointed by his heartless reply.
They were toyed with by a heartless fate.