Synonym Nuance VS
How to say "Heartless" in Japanese
Both words can translate to "heartless", but which should you choose?
Japanese Option A
非情
ひじょう (hijō)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
VS
Japanese Option B
無情
むじょう (mujō)
N3 / CEFR Syllabus
Nuance Contrast & Translation Difference
When translating "heartless" into Japanese, you must choose carefully between 非情 and 無情.
In Japanese, 非情 (ひじょう (hijō)) is typically associated with "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.
On the other hand, 無情 (むじょう (mujō)) maps to "heartless; cold; unfeeling; merciless (fate/reality); transient (different kanji)" (Syllabus Level: N3) and represents Refers to being heartless, cold, unfeeling, or merciless, particularly describing fate, time, weather, or natural laws that ignore human suffering. Often used as 無情にも. A literal translation of "heartless" can often sound unnatural to native Japanese speakers if mixed up!
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.
Bilingual Context for "無情"
激しい豪雨は、人々が丹精込めて育てた作物を_______にも押し流してしまいました。
The heavy downpour mercilessly washed away the crops that the people had raised with great care.
Nuance Mastery Quiz
Which Japanese word perfectly fits this blank space?
Fill in the blank: "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。" (Meaning: "The world of business is extremely heartless, and it is not rare to be dismissed immediately if performance does not rise.")
🎉 Correct Answer!
Remember: "非情" fits here because it means "heartless; unfeeling; ruthless; merciless; cold-blooded" in the context of: "The world of business is extremely heartless, and it is not rare to be dismissed immediately if performance does not rise.". "無情" represents "heartless; cold; unfeeling; merciless (fate/reality); transient (different kanji)".