残忍

• Reading: ざんにん
• Romaji: zannin
• Kanji breakdown: 残 (zan/noko) — cruel, remain; 忍 (nin/shino) — endure, conceal, ruthless
• Pronunciation: /zan.nʲin/

Meaning

Cruel; brutal; merciless; atrocious. Describes a person or act showing a complete absence of compassion, marked by deliberate harshness.

A na-adjective emphasising deliberate cruelty rather than accidental harm. Unlike 冷酷 (cold-hearted/callous), 残忍 often implies active indifference to or even satisfaction in the suffering caused. Commonly used in crime reports, historical descriptions, and literary villainy.

Examples

1. 残忍な手口から、犯人は計画的な犯行を長期間にわたり続けていたと見られる。 Based on the cruel methods used, investigators believe the perpetrator had been carrying out premeditated crimes over a long period.
2. 歴史上、残忍な支配者ほど民衆の恐怖を利用して権力を維持してきた。 Throughout history, the most brutal rulers have maintained power by exploiting the fear of the masses.
3. 彼は残忍な行為を平然と行い、周囲を震え上がらせた。 He carried out merciless acts without flinching, striking terror into everyone around him.

Usage Guide

Context: crime, history, literature, news

Tone: grave

Origin & History

Compound of 残 (zan, cruel/remaining) and 忍 (nin, endure/conceal). The pairing suggests a cruelty that persists and is suppressed within — a cold, sustained ruthlessness rather than a momentary outburst.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: Adults

Social background: General