Meanings of 残酷
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About 残酷
Podcast: 残酷
Podcast: 残酷
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AI Study Notes for 残酷
残忍 (ránrěn) — use 残酷 for describing situations or actions that are harsh, while 残忍 emphasizes the cruelty of a person or their character.
Think of the character 残 (cán) as representing '残破' (damaged) and 酷 (kù) as '酷刑' (cruel punishment). Visualize a broken heart under a harsh spotlight to remember that cruelty often brings pain and suffering. The pronunciation 'can2 ku4' can be remembered as 'can' (like 'can you bear this?') and 'kù' as in 'kook' (a person who might act cruelly).
Use 残酷 in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious as it carries a strong negative connotation. Common collocations include 残酷的现实 (cruel reality) and 残酷的竞争 (cruel competition). Watch out for the tone; it's easy to confuse it with similar-sounding words.
As an HSK 6 word, 残酷 connects to other advanced vocabulary related to emotions and social issues. Students should focus on using it in context, especially with phrases that express strong sentiments or moral evaluations.
In Chinese literature and media, themes of cruelty often reflect societal issues or historical injustices, making 残酷 a significant term in discussing moral dilemmas and human rights.
Learners often confuse 残酷 with the more neutral term 苛刻 (kēkè), which means harsh but not necessarily cruel. For example, saying '这份工作很残酷' (This job is cruel) instead of the more appropriate '这份工作很苛刻' (This job is harsh) can lead to misunderstandings.
Pronunciation of 残酷
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Component Characters
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Grammar Patterns of 残酷
残酷 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
那不是有些太____了吗？
Isn't that a bit harsh?
Example Sentences for 残酷 (5)
Cultural Notes for 残酷
In Chinese literature and media, themes of cruelty often reflect societal issues or historical injustices, making 残酷 a significant term in discussing moral dilemmas and human rights.
Frequently Asked Questions about 残酷
While both terms convey a sense of harshness, 残酷 often implies a deeper, more systemic cruelty observed in societal contexts.