Translation guide
The English word 'ruthless' describes someone or something that is cruel, harsh, and shows no pity or mercy. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various adjectives, verbs, and descriptive phrases that emphasize cold-heartedness, mercilessness, or relentless pursuit of goals without regard for others.
Describing a person, decision, or action that is harsh, cruel, and shows no compassion.
An adjective meaning cold-hearted, cruel, and unfeeling. Often used for people, actions, or systems that lack mercy.
彼は冷酷な上司だ。
He is a ruthless boss.
その冷酷な決断に皆が驚いた。
Everyone was shocked by that ruthless decision.
Means heartless, unfeeling, or merciless. Often used for situations or people who act without emotion or sympathy.
非情な現実を受け入れるしかなかった。
We had no choice but to accept the ruthless reality.
Literally 'without mercy'. Stronger and more dramatic than 冷酷, often used in literary or emphatic contexts.
無慈悲な仕打ちに耐えられなかった。
I couldn't endure the ruthless treatment.
Means brutal, cruel, or savage. Emphasizes physical cruelty or violence rather than just coldness.
残忍な殺人事件が起きた。
A ruthless murder occurred.
Means merciless, relentless, or unforgiving. Often used for criticism, attacks, or competition.
彼の容赦ない批判に傷ついた。
I was hurt by his ruthless criticism.
Describing a person who is ambitious and willing to do anything to achieve their goals, often at the expense of others.
A compound emphasizing both cold-heartedness and lack of mercy. Often used for business or political contexts.
彼は冷酷非情なビジネスマンとして知られている。
He is known as a ruthless businessman.
Literally 'does not choose means'. Describes someone who will use any method, fair or unfair, to achieve their goal.
彼は出世のためには手段を選ばない。
He is ruthless when it comes to getting promoted.
Also used in this sense to mean heartless in pursuit of goals.
Literally 'become a demon'. Used when someone temporarily sets aside compassion to be ruthless, often in a specific situation.
時には鬼になることも必要だ。
Sometimes you need to be ruthless.
Describing something that is intense, harsh, and does not let up, such as competition, weather, or criticism.
Commonly used for relentless attacks, criticism, or competition.
容赦ない競争が続いている。
Ruthless competition continues.
Means strict, severe, or harsh. Can be used for ruthless conditions or standards, though it is less intense than 容赦ない.
この業界は厳しい。
This industry is ruthless.
Means harsh, severe, or brutal. Often used for environments, conditions, or treatment.
While 無情 (むじょう) can mean heartless or pitiless, it is more commonly used in Buddhist contexts to mean 'inanimate' or 'without feelings'. Using it for 'ruthless' may sound unnatural or overly literary.
冷酷 emphasizes cold-heartedness and cruelty, while 非情 emphasizes lack of emotion or mercy. 冷酷 is more common for describing a person's character, while 非情 is often used for situations or actions.
She devoted herself to work with ruthless dedication.
They protested against the ruthless working conditions.