Meanings of 残酷
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Podcast: 残酷
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AI Study Notes for 残酷
残忍 (ránrěn) — use 残酷 for describing situations or actions that are harsh, while 残忍 emphasizes the cruelty of a person or their character.
Use 残酷 in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious as it carries a strong negative connotation. Common collocations include 残酷的现实 (cruel reality) and 残酷的竞争 (cruel competition). Watch out for the tone; it's easy to confuse it with similar-sounding words.
As an HSK 6 word, 残酷 connects to other advanced vocabulary related to emotions and social issues. Students should focus on using it in context, especially with phrases that express strong sentiments or moral evaluations.
Learners often confuse 残酷 with the more neutral term 苛刻 (kēkè), which means harsh but not necessarily cruel. For example, saying '这份工作很残酷' (This job is cruel) instead of the more appropriate '这份工作很苛刻' (This job is harsh) can lead to misunderstandings.
Pronunciation of 残酷
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Component Characters
How to say cruel in Chinese
“cruel” in Chinese is残酷
残酷 (cánkù) refers to a quality of being unkind, harsh, or ruthless. It is often used to describe actions, behaviors, or situations that lack compassion and are cruel in nature. This word is commonly found in discussions about injustice, suffering, or severe conditions.
When to use 残酷
Use 残酷 in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious as it carries a strong negative connotation. Common collocations include 残酷的现实 (cruel reality) and 残酷的竞争 (cruel competition). Watch out for the tone; it's easy to confuse it with similar-sounding words.
残酷 or something close to it
残忍 (ránrěn) — use 残酷 for describing situations or actions that are harsh, while 残忍 emphasizes the cruelty of a person or their character.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 残酷 with the more neutral term 苛刻 (kēkè), which means harsh but not necessarily cruel. For example, saying '这份工作很残酷' (This job is cruel) instead of the more appropriate '这份工作很苛刻' (This job is harsh) can lead to misunderstandings.
Write 残酷
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Grammar Patterns of 残酷
残酷 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
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那不是有些太____了吗？
Isn't that a bit harsh?
Example Sentences for 残酷 (5)
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Frequently Asked Questions about 残酷
While both terms convey a sense of harshness, 残酷 often implies a deeper, more systemic cruelty observed in societal contexts.
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