残酷 cánkù cruel
cruel; cruelty
How to remember 残酷: 残 to injure + 酷 strong = cruel.
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How it is used
- 'Cruel, brutal, harsh' - 残酷的现实 (cánkù de xiànshí) harsh reality; 竞争残酷 brutal competition.
- Applies both to cruel people and to harsh, unforgiving conditions/reality.
- Broader than 残忍 (personal cruelty); 残酷 also covers the cruelty of situations.