残忍

殘忍

cánrěn

adjective HSK 7 #3,074

Meanings

1 cruel; ruthless; brutal

Characters

cruel; incomplete; to damage

to bear; to endure; ruthless

Cruel (残) and ruthless (忍) — heartless enough to cause suffering without flinching.

Examples

这种做法太残忍了。

Zhè zhǒng zuòfǎ tài cánrěn le.

This practice is too cruel.

现实是残忍的。

Xiànshí shì cánrěn de.

Reality is cruel.

Tips

usage

残忍 describes deliberate cruelty — actions, people, or reality. For describing harsh natural conditions or difficult situations without the element of cruelty, use 残酷 (cánkù) instead. 残忍 implies a moral judgment; 残酷 can be morally neutral.

Stroke Order

残 cán

忍 rěn