佷 (hěn) - Cruel, harsh, ruthless & obstinate, stubborn

佷Tone 3

hěn ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 亻

枫惠

佷 · hěn

Cruel, harsh, ruthless;

obstinate, stubborn;

variant form of 狠

Cruel, harsh, ruthlessobstinate, stubbornvariant form of 狠

Usage highlights

Cruel and ruthlessHarsh and violentStubborn and selfRuthless characterObstinate and cruelUnrelenting

Synonyms

  • 狠— cruel, ruthless
  • 残— cruel, savage
  • 暴— violent, cruel
  • 戾— ruthless, perverse

Antonyms

  • 仁— benevolent, kind
  • 慈— compassionate, merciful
  • 善— good, kind

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He has a cruel and ruthless nature (性格佷戾).
  • The ruler was known for his harsh governance (佷暴的统治).
  • Ancient texts describe him as stubborn and unyielding (佷愎自用).

Collocations

  • Cruel and ruthless(佷戾)
  • Harsh and violent(佷暴)
  • Stubborn and self-willed(佷愎)
  • Ruthless character(佷性)
  • Obstinate and cruel(佷酷)
  • Unrelenting(佷毒)

Idioms

  • Cruel and ruthless by nature(性佷戾)
  • Stubborn and self-opinionated(佷愎自用)
  • Harsh and unyielding(佷暴不仁)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally meant cruel or harsh in classical Chinese texts.
  • Often used interchangeably with 狠 in modern usage, though 狠 is more common.
  • Appears in historical records describing tyrannical rulers or cruel individuals.

FAQ