lěngkù: 冷酷 - Cruel, Cold-hearted, Unfeeling [The Contextual Chinese Dictionary]

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====== lěngkù: 冷酷 - Cruel, Cold-hearted, Unfeeling ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** lěngkù, 冷酷, cold-hearted in Chinese, cruel in Chinese, unfeeling, ruthless, Chinese adjective for cruel, how to say ruthless in Chinese, lěngdàn vs lěngkù, HSK 5 vocabulary.
  * **Summary:** Learn the meaning and usage of **冷酷 (lěngkù)**, a powerful Chinese adjective used to describe someone who is cruel, cold-hearted, and unfeeling. This guide explores its character breakdown, cultural context, and practical examples, helping you understand how it differs from simply being "cold" (`冷淡 lěngdàn`) or "cool" (`酷 kù`). Master this HSK 5 word to accurately describe ruthless behavior or the chilling demeanor of a movie villain.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** lěngkù
  * **Part of Speech:** Adjective
  * **HSK Level:** HSK 5
  * **Concise Definition:** Describing a person, action, or expression as emotionally cold, unfeeling, and often cruel or ruthless.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **冷酷 (lěngkù)** is much stronger than just being quiet or unfriendly. It describes a deep and often deliberate lack of empathy. Think of a classic movie villain who acts without a shred of compassion, a boss who fires employees with a cold stare, or a decision made with no regard for human feeling. It’s a chilling coldness that implies a hard, unfeeling heart.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **冷 (lěng):** This character's primary meaning is "cold" in temperature. Metaphorically, it represents emotional coldness, distance, and indifference.
  * **酷 (kù):** The classical meaning of this character is "harsh," "severe," or "cruel." (Note: In modern slang, this character is also used as a loanword for "cool," but in **冷酷**, it retains its original, harsh meaning).
  * Together, **冷 (cold) + 酷 (cruel)** create a vivid image of someone whose personality is defined by a harsh, severe coldness. Their lack of warmth isn't passive; it's an active, almost weaponized form of indifference that can be genuinely cruel.
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
In Chinese culture, which often places a high value on **热情 (rèqíng - enthusiasm, warmth)** and social harmony, being described as **冷酷 (lěngkù)** is a very strong and serious criticism. It suggests a person is not just failing to be warm and friendly, but is fundamentally lacking in human empathy and compassion (`同情心 tóngqíngxīn`).
A useful Western comparison is the concept of being "cold-blooded." Both terms describe a chilling lack of emotion connected to cruel acts. However, **冷酷 (lěngkù)** often focuses more on the *internal state* of being unfeelingly cold as a character trait, from which cruel actions naturally follow. "Cold-blooded" might be used more specifically to describe a particular heinous act (e.g., a cold-blooded murder). To call a person **冷酷** is to make a judgment about their core personality. It signifies a profound departure from the expected norms of interpersonal warmth and human decency.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**冷酷 (lěngkù)** is a powerful adjective used to express strong negative judgment. Its connotation is almost always negative.
  * **Describing People:** This is the most common usage. It's perfect for describing a villain (`反派 fǎnpài`) in a TV show, a stern and merciless boss, or a person who acts with complete disregard for others' feelings.
  * **Describing Actions or Expressions:** You can describe a decision as **冷酷** (e.g., a "ruthless decision"), a look as **冷酷** (a "cold-hearted stare"), or a refusal as **冷酷** (a "cruel rejection").
  * **Formality:** It's a strong word used in both everyday conversation and more formal or literary contexts. Because of its strength, it's not a word to be used lightly.
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 那个老板对待员工非常**冷酷**。
    * Pinyin: Nàge lǎobǎn duìdài yuángōng fēicháng **lěngkù**.
    * English: That boss treats his employees very cruelly.
    * Analysis: A classic example of describing a person's general behavior. It implies he is not just strict, but unfeelingly harsh.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 电影里的反派露出了一个**冷酷**的微笑。
    * Pinyin: Diànyǐng lǐ de fǎnpài lùchū le yíge **lěngkù** de wēixiào.
    * English: The villain in the movie revealed a cold-hearted smile.
    * Analysis: Here, **冷酷** modifies a noun (`微笑` - smile), showing how an action can reflect this quality. A "cold-hearted smile" is chilling and devoid of warmth.
  * **Example 3:**
    * 他**冷酷**地拒绝了我的请求，连看都没看我一眼。
    * Pinyin: Tā **lěngkù** de jùjuéle wǒ de qǐngqiú, lián kàn dōu méi kàn wǒ yìyǎn.
    * English: He ruthlessly rejected my request, without even glancing at me.
    * Analysis: The adverbial form `冷酷地 (lěngkù de)` is used here to describe *how* an action (rejecting) was performed.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 你怎么能这么**冷酷**？他毕竟是你的朋友！
    * Pinyin: Nǐ zěnme néng zhème **lěngkù**? Tā bìjìng shì nǐ de péngyǒu!
    * English: How can you be so cold-hearted? He's your friend, after all!
    * Analysis: This shows **冷酷** used in a direct, accusatory question, highlighting the speaker's shock at someone's lack of empathy.
  * **Example 5:**
    * 现实是**冷酷**的，我们必须学会坚强。
    * Pinyin: Xiànshí shì **lěngkù** de, wǒmen bìxū xuéhuì jiānqiáng.
    * English: Reality is cruel; we must learn to be strong.
    * Analysis: **冷酷** can be used to describe abstract concepts like "reality" (`现实`), personifying it as an unfeeling force.
  * **Example 6:**
    * 分手后，她变成了一个**冷酷**无情的人。
    * Pinyin: Fēnshǒu hòu, tā biànchéngle yíge **lěngkù** wúqíng de rén.
    * English: After the breakup, she became a cold and heartless person.
    * Analysis: This example pairs **冷酷** with `无情 (wúqíng - heartless)`, a common combination that reinforces the meaning.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 他的眼神很**冷酷**，让人不寒而栗。
    * Pinyin: Tā de yǎnshén hěn **lěngkù**, ràng rén bù hán ér lì.
    * English: His gaze was very cold-hearted, it made people shudder.
    * Analysis: This sentence uses the idiom `不寒而栗 (bù hán ér lì - to tremble without being cold)` to emphasize the chilling effect of a **冷酷** look.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 这是一个**冷酷**的决定，但对公司来说是必要的。
    * Pinyin: Zhè shì yíge **lěngkù** de juédìng, dàn duì gōngsī láishuō shì bìyào de.
    * English: This is a ruthless decision, but it's necessary for the company.
    * Analysis: Shows that a **冷酷** action can sometimes be framed as a pragmatic or necessary evil, even if it's unpleasant.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 在战争中，士兵们必须变得**冷酷**才能生存。
    * Pinyin: Zài zhànzhēng zhōng, shìbīngmen bìxū biànde **lěngkù** cái néng shēngcún.
    * English: In war, soldiers must become ruthless in order to survive.
    * Analysis: Context matters. Here, being **冷酷** is presented as a survival mechanism rather than an inherent personality flaw.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 他的话语像刀子一样**冷酷**。
    * Pinyin: Tā de huàyǔ xiàng dāozi yíyàng **lěngkù**.
    * English: His words were as cruel as a knife.
    * Analysis: A simile comparing words to a knife, with **冷酷** being the quality that makes them so sharp and hurtful.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
**1. `冷酷 (lěngkù)` vs. `冷淡 (lěngdàn)` - The MOST Common Pitfall**
This is a crucial distinction for learners.
  * **冷淡 (lěngdàn):** Means "indifferent," "aloof," or "lukewarm." It describes a *lack of enthusiasm or warmth*. Someone might be `冷淡` because they are shy, tired, or simply not interested. It's negative, but much milder.
    * //Correct:// 他今天对我很**冷淡**，可能是我说错了什么话。 (Tā jīntiān duì wǒ hěn lěngdàn, kěnéng shì wǒ shuō cuòle shénme huà.) - "He was very aloof towards me today, maybe I said something wrong."
  * **冷酷 (lěngkù):** Means "cruel" or "cold-hearted." It implies a *lack of empathy and compassion*, often with a hint of malice. It's a fundamental character flaw.
    * //Correct:// 只有**冷酷**的人才能对流浪动物视而不见。 (Zhǐyǒu lěngkù de rén cáinéng duì liúlàng dòngwù shì'érbùjiàn.) - "Only a cold-hearted person could turn a blind eye to stray animals."
**2. `冷酷 (lěngkù)` vs. `酷 (kù)` - The "Cool" False Friend**
The character `酷` on its own has been co-opted into modern slang as a loanword for "cool" (as in stylish, awesome). This creates a massive potential for misunderstanding.
  * **酷 (kù) = Cool / Awesome (Compliment)**
    * //Correct:// 你这个新发型真**酷**！ (Nǐ zhège xīn fàxíng zhēn kù!) - "Your new hairstyle is so cool!"
  * **冷酷 (lěngkù) = Cruel / Cold-hearted (Insult)**
    * //Correct:// 他是一个**冷酷**的杀手。 (Tā shì yíge lěngkù de shāshǒu.) - "He is a cold-hearted killer."
    * **Incorrect Usage:** To say someone is stylish, you would //never// say `他很冷酷`. This would mean "He is very cruel." The correct phrase is `他很酷`.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[冷淡]] (lěngdàn) - A lesser degree of coldness; means "indifferent" or "aloof," not necessarily cruel.
  * [[无情]] (wúqíng) - A very close synonym for `冷酷`, meaning "heartless" or "without feeling." Often used interchangeably.
  * [[冷血]] (lěngxuè) - A strong synonym meaning "cold-blooded." It carries a very visceral, almost monstrous connotation.
  * [[残忍]] (cánrěn) - A synonym meaning "brutal" or "savage." It emphasizes the physical or active cruelty of an act more than the internal emotional state.
  * [[热情]] (rèqíng) - The direct antonym: "enthusiastic," "warm," "passionate."
  * [[麻木]] (mámù) - A related concept meaning "numb" or "apathetic." While a `麻木` person might act in a `冷酷` way, `麻木` describes being desensitized, often due to trauma, whereas `冷酷` is seen more as an active character trait.
  * [[铁石心肠]] (tiě shí xīn cháng) - A common idiom (chengyu) that means "to have a heart of iron and stone." It is a perfect, more literary synonym for being `冷酷`.