むごい

• Reading: むごい
• Romaji: mugoi
• Pronunciation: /mɯ.ɡo̞.i/

Meaning

Cruel; brutal; merciless; terrible. Describes an act, situation, or person that is shockingly harsh or devoid of compassion.

An i-adjective (usually written in hiragana; kanji 酷い is more commonly read むごい in classical or literary contexts) conveying extreme cruelty or a complete lack of mercy. Stronger than 厳しい (kibishii — strict) and carries an emotional weight of moral outrage. Used for brutal violence, callous treatment of vulnerable people, or harsh fates. Appears in both literary and colloquial speech.

Examples

1. そんなむごい仕打ちを受けたにもかかわらず、彼女は恨み言一つ言わなかった。 Despite having suffered such cruel treatment, she did not utter a single word of resentment.
2. 戦争のむごい現実を記録した写真が、世界に衝撃を与えた。 Photographs documenting the brutal reality of war sent shockwaves around the world.
3. むごい運命に翻弄されながらも、彼は最後まで尊厳を失わなかった。 Buffeted by a merciless fate, he never lost his dignity until the very end.

Usage Guide

Context: cruelty, violence, fate, literature, history

Tone: grave, emotional

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. Carries the sense of something so harsh it wounds the spirit. Occasionally associated with 酷 (koku — cruel, harsh) though the etymological link is debated.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical to Modern

Generation: Adult

Social background: General