Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Heartless" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "heartless", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
薄情
はくじょう (hakujō)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
非情
ひじょう (hijō)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "heartless" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 薄情 and 非情.
In Japanese, 薄情 (はくじょう (hakujō)) is typically associated with "heartless; unfeeling; cold-hearted; thin affection; unkind" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to being heartless, unfeeling, cold-hearted, unkind, or lacking warm affection/gratitude toward others.
On the other hand, 非情 (ひじょう (hijō)) maps to "heartless; unfeeling; ruthless; merciless; cold-blooded" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to being heartless, unfeeling, ruthless, merciless, or cold-blooded, ignoring human emotions and feelings for the sake of rules or profit. Often used as 非情な. A literal translation of "heartless" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
Bilingual Context for "薄情"
自分が苦しい時に散々助けてもらいながら、相手が困っている時に知らん顔をするのは_______な行動です。
Having been helped extensively when in trouble himself, pretending not to know when the other is in trouble is a heartless behavior.
Bilingual Context for "非情"
ビジネスの世界は極めて_______であり、業績が上がらなければ即座に解雇されることも珍しくありません。
The world of business is extremely heartless, and it is not rare to be dismissed immediately if performance does not rise.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "自分が苦しい時に散々助けてもらいながら、相手が困っている時に知らん顔をするのは_______な行動です。" (Meaning: "Having been helped extensively when in trouble himself, pretending not to know when the other is in trouble is a heartless behavior.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "薄情" fits here because it means "heartless; unfeeling; cold-hearted; thin affection; unkind" in the context of: "Having been helped extensively when in trouble himself, pretending not to know when the other is in trouble is a heartless behavior.". "非情" represents "heartless; unfeeling; ruthless; merciless; cold-blooded".