Translation guide
Describes a person who lacks sympathy, kindness, or emotional warmth; often implies cruelty or indifference to others' suffering.
Describing a person who is emotionally cold, unfeeling, or indifferent to others' pain.
The most common and versatile word for 'cold' in personality. Can describe someone who is unfriendly, indifferent, or unkind.
Describing behavior or demeanor that is distant, unaffectionate, or emotionally unavailable.
冷たい is the most general and can range from 'unfriendly' to 'coldhearted'. 冷酷な implies active cruelty or ruthlessness. 薄情な focuses on a lack of human warmth or compassion, often in personal relationships.
The phrase 'cold heart' is not directly translated as 冷たい心臓. Use adjectives like 冷たい or 冷酷な to describe a person or their actions.
彼は冷たい人だ。
He is a coldhearted person.
彼女の冷たい態度に傷ついた。
I was hurt by her cold attitude.
Means 'cruel' or 'ruthless'. Stronger than 冷たい, implying a deliberate lack of mercy or compassion.
彼は冷酷な決断を下した。
He made a coldhearted decision.
Means 'heartless' or 'unfeeling'. Often used for someone who lacks human warmth or fails to show expected compassion.
薄情な男だ。
He's a coldhearted man.
Means 'merciless' or 'pitiless'. Emphasizes a lack of emotion or sympathy, often in a harsh or cruel way.
無情な言葉を投げかけた。
He hurled coldhearted words at me.
Literally 'cold-blooded'. Used for someone who acts without emotion or conscience, often in a calculated way.
冷血な殺人者。
A coldhearted murderer.
Again the most natural choice. Can refer to a cold look, tone, or general demeanor.
冷たい目で見られた。
I was looked at with cold eyes.
Means 'curt', 'brusque', or 'cold' in a dismissive way. Often used when someone gives a short, unfriendly reply.
そっけない返事だった。
It was a coldhearted reply.
Loanword from English 'dry'. Means emotionally detached, unsentimental, or businesslike. Often used for a personality type.
彼はドライな性格だ。
He has a coldhearted personality.