Translation guide
Describes a person, attitude, or response that lacks understanding, compassion, or emotional support. The most natural Japanese expressions depend on whether you mean 'cold/unfeeling', 'unhelpful/uncooperative', or 'indifferent to someone's suffering'.
Describing a person, remark, or attitude that is cold, unfeeling, or indifferent to others' feelings.
The most common and versatile word for 'cold' in an emotional sense. Can describe a person, attitude, response, or atmosphere.
彼は冷たい人だ。
He is a cold person.
冷たい態度を取られた。
I was treated with a cold attitude.
Literally 'lacks consideration/compassion'. A direct and clear way to say someone is unsympathetic.
彼の返事は思いやりがなかった。
His reply was unsympathetic.
Means 'heartless' or 'cruel'. Stronger than 冷たい, often used in literary or dramatic contexts.
無情な言葉を投げかけた。
He hurled heartless words.
Means 'indifferent' or 'cool'. Often used for a deliberately detached or unfeeling attitude.
冷淡な対応に失望した。
I was disappointed by the unsympathetic response.
Describing a reaction that is not favorable, cooperative, or understanding toward an idea, request, or situation.
Literally 'does not show understanding'. Used when someone fails to acknowledge or accept another's position.
上司は私の提案に理解を示さなかった。
My boss was unsympathetic to my proposal.
Means 'does not empathize'. Often used when someone fails to share or understand another's feelings.
彼は私の悩みに共感しなかった。
He was unsympathetic to my worries.
Means 'does not agree'. Only fits when 'unsympathetic' means 'not in favor of' a plan or idea.
委員会はその計画に賛成しなかった。
The committee was unsympathetic to the plan.
Describing a lack of pity or concern when someone is in trouble or pain.
Directly means 'does not sympathize'. The most straightforward translation in contexts of pity or compassion.
彼は私の失敗に同情しなかった。
He was unsympathetic about my failure.
Literally 'does not feel sorry for'. A natural, slightly softer way to express lack of sympathy.
彼女は私の状況を気の毒に思わなかった。
She was unsympathetic to my situation.
Means 'cruel' or 'ruthless'. Much stronger than 'unsympathetic'; use only when the lack of sympathy is extreme.
冷酷な仕打ちを受けた。
I received cruel treatment.
There is no single Japanese adjective that covers all uses of 'unsympathetic'. Using 無同情な or similar made-up words will not be understood. Choose the expression that matches the specific nuance: coldness, lack of understanding, or lack of pity.
冷たい is a general adjective for emotional coldness and can describe a person's character or a single action. 思いやりがない explicitly states the absence of compassion and is often used to criticize a specific remark or behavior.