凶暴

• Reading: きょうぼう
• Romaji: kyōbō
• Kanji breakdown: 凶 (kyō) — ominous, evil, violent; 暴 (bō) — savage, reckless, sudden
• Pronunciation: /kʲoː.boː/

Meaning

Ferocious; brutal; savage; violent. Describes a dangerously aggressive nature in people, animals, or behaviour.

A na-adjective used to describe violent, uncontrolled aggression. Stronger than 乱暴 (rowdy) or 粗暴 (rough) — 凶暴 implies a near-predatory, terrifying ferocity. Commonly used in news reports, literature, and discussions about crime or wild animals.

Examples

1. 凶暴な犬に追いかけられて、必死に逃げた。 I was chased by a ferocious dog and ran for my life.
2. 戦争は人間の凶暴な一面を引き出すと言われている。 It's said that war brings out the savage side of human nature.
3. 彼の凶暴な性格は、幼少期のトラウマに起因するとされた。 His violent temperament was attributed to childhood trauma.

Usage Guide

Context: news, literature, crime reporting, animal behaviour

Tone: serious

Origin & History

Classical Chinese compound. 凶 (kyō) means ominous, evil, or violent; 暴 (bō) means sudden, savage, or reckless. Combined, they describe an unpredictably dangerous temperament.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal