残忍

殘忍

cánrěn

adjective HSK 7-9 #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

HSK 3

这种做法太残忍了。

Zhèzhǒng zuòfǎ tài cánrěn le.

This practice is too cruel.

HSK 3

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 instead. 残忍 implies a moral judgment; 残酷 can be morally neutral.

Stroke Order

残 cán

忍 rěn