HSK · Level 85
45 words
Chinese word
残
Pronunciation
Pinyincán
Meaning
- adjectiveharsh
Example
这次判罚太残了，球员们很不服。zhè cì pàn fá tài cán le qiú yuán men hěn bù fú
The call was too harsh, and the players were very unhappy with it.
More examples
公司对员工的待遇很残酷，让人无法接受。gōng sī duì yuán gōng de dài yù hěn cán kù ràng rén wú fǎ jiē shòu
The company's treatment of its employees was very harsh and unacceptable.
Core concept
Severity that cuts away mercy, making the treatment of people or the handling of a situation feel cold and unforgiving.
Common phrases
残酷cán kù
harsh
残忍cán rěn
cruel
残酷的惩罚cán kù de chéng fá
harsh punishment
Similar words
无情wú qíng: Lacking sympathy or care for other people's feelings.
冷酷lěng kù: Cold and emotionally distant, dealing with others without warmth.
残忍cán rěn: Deliberately cruel, treating others with no regard for their well-being.
Definition in Chinese
对人或事毫不留情，表现出冷酷或严厉的态度，强调不容赦的性质。duì rén huò shì háo bù liú qíng biǎo xiàn chū lěng kù huò yán lì de tài dù qiáng diào bù róng shè de xìng zhì
Word origin
The character 残 (cán, "cruel") is built from 歹 (dǎi, "death or ruin") + 戋 (jiān, "small"), with 歹 contributing the damage-related meaning and 戋 serving mainly as the sound cue.
Usage tips
- English harsh can describe strict rules, rough conditions, or strong criticism, whereas this word more readily focuses on how unforgiving an act or judgment feels.