凶狠

• Pinyin: xiōng hěn
• Hanzi breakdown: 凶 = 凵 + 乂 (fierce); 狠 = 犭 + 艮 (ruthless/determined/relentless)

Meaning

Fierce and ruthless; vicious and relentless. Emphasises both the intensity and the merciless determination of aggression.

Similar to 凶恶 but with a stronger emphasis on ruthlessness and determination. Used to describe attacks, aggressive behaviour, expressions, or in intense competitive contexts.

Examples

1. 这名拳击手出手凶狠，对手在第三回合便宣告放弃，无力继续比赛。 This boxer fought viciously, and by the third round the opponent had to throw in the towel, unable to continue.
2. 当地发生了一起手段凶狠的抢劫案，受害人受伤严重，警方已全力展开调查。 A ruthless robbery was reported locally; the victim was seriously injured, and police are conducting a full investigation.
3. 他言辞凶狠，咄咄逼人，令在场所有人都感到无形的压迫与不安。 He spoke harshly and pressed aggressively, making everyone present feel an invisible sense of pressure and unease.

Usage Guide

Context: crime, sports, descriptive writing

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 歹徒行凶时手段凶狠，警方对此案进行了严肃认真的调查处理。(The criminals were ruthlessly vicious in their actions; police conducted a serious and thorough investigation.)
• 这名谈判对手态度凶狠，丝毫不给对方留有余地，导致谈判陷入长期僵局。(This negotiating opponent was fiercely aggressive, leaving no room for the other party, causing the negotiation to fall into a prolonged deadlock.)

Don't Say

• 凶狠的音乐 — 凶狠 describes people, animals, or their actions; for intense or aggressive music use 激烈 or 震撼; 凶狠 requires a subject capable of ruthless intent

Origin & History

凶 (fierce/ferocious) + 狠 (ruthless/relentless) — fierceness with relentless determination

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional to Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal