HSK · Level 60
105 words
Chinese word
凶狠
Pronunciation
Pinyinxiōng hěn
Meaning
- adjectivecruel
Example
他对待犯人很凶狠，一点也不留情。tā duì dài fàn rén hěn xiōng hěn yì diǎn yě bù liú qíng
He treats the criminal very cruelly and shows no mercy.
More examples
在市场竞争中，为了挤压对手，他采取了非常凶狠的做法，最终导致对方破产。zài shì chǎng jìng zhēng zhōng wèi le jǐ yā duì shǒu tā cái qǔ le fēi cháng xiōng hěn de zuò fǎ zuì zhōng dǎo zhì duì fāng pò chǎn
In market competition, he used very cruel methods to squeeze out his opponent, eventually causing the other side to go bankrupt.
Core concept
It presents a person's eyes, manner, or method as harsh, dangerous, and unwilling to spare others.
Common phrases
凶狠的手段xiōng hěn de shǒu duàn
cruel methods
凶狠的目光xiōng hěn de mù guāng
a fierce look
凶狠地攻击xiōng hěn dì gōng jī
attack viciously
Similar words
残忍cán rěn: Showing cold cruelty toward people or animals, without hesitation about causing pain.
残酷cán kù: Describing conduct or conditions that are severely harsh and bring great suffering.
凶恶xiōng è: Appearing frightening and savage, with a dangerous and hostile intent.
狠毒hěn dú: Showing cunning malice in speech or actions intended to harm another person.
Definition in Chinese
带有狠毒或残酷性质，常用来形容人的眼神、表情或手段带有伤害性。dài yǒu hěn dú huò cán kù xìng zhì cháng yòng lái xíng róng rén de yǎn shén biǎo qíng huò shǒu duàn dài yǒu shāng hài xìng
Word origin
凶 (xiōng, "fierce or ominous") + 狠 (hěn, "ruthless") combine the sense of dangerous harshness with a refusal to show mercy.
Usage tips
- In everyday conversation, this adjective is a strong description for a look, manner, or way of treating people, rather than a routine word for someone who is merely strict.