むごい

む

ご

い

Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

i-adjective

cruel; merciless; brutal

usually written using kana alone

Describes actions, treatment, or conditions that are harsh, pitiless, or lacking compassion. Often used for severe cruelty or brutality.

彼かれのむごい仕し打うちに、みんなが怒おこった。
Everyone was angered by his cruel treatment.

そんなむごいことを言いわないで。

Don't say such cruel things.

2

i-adjective

tragic; horrible; dreadful

usually written using kana alone

Describes situations, events, or outcomes that are shockingly bad, tragic, or miserable. Often used for accidents, news, or circumstances that evoke pity or horror.

事じ故この現げん場ばはむごいありさまだった。
The scene of the accident was horrible.
むごいニュースが続つづいて、気き持もちが沈しずむ。
With one dreadful news after another, I feel down.

Written forms

むごいUsage74%
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms 惨い and 酷い are less common and may be confused with other readings.
惨むごいUsage24%
Kanji form; rare and easily confused with 酷い (ひどい).
ムゴいUsage1%
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling used for emphasis or in casual writing.
酷むごい
Kanji form; rare and easily confused with 酷い (ひどい).

Kanji

惨wretched, disaster, cruelty
酷cruel, severe, atrocious

Similar words

ひどい
ひどい is more common and covers a broader range of 'terrible' or 'awful' situations, while むごい emphasizes cruelty or tragic horror.
残ざん酷こく
残酷 is a noun/adjectival noun meaning 'cruelty' or 'cruel', often used in formal or descriptive contexts, whereas むごい is an adjective with a more emotional, subjective tone.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain. It may be related to the classical adjective むごし, but the exact derivation is unclear.