狠 (hěn) - ruthless & fierce

狠Tone 3

hěn ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical: 犭

枫惠

狠 · hěn

ruthless;

fierce;

severe;

resolute;

determined;

to a great extent

ruthlessfiercesevere

Usage highlights

ruthless personcruel heartfierce and ruthlessvicious and mercilessfirmly determinedfierce battle

Synonyms

  • 凶— fierce; violent
  • 残— cruel; savage
  • 辣— spicy; ruthless

Antonyms

  • 善— kind; good
  • 柔— gentle; soft
  • 慈— compassionate; benevolent

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He is a ruthless person (狠心的人).
  • She fought fiercely (狠打).
  • The winter was extremely cold (狠冷的冬天).
  • He made a firm decision (狠下决心).

Collocations

  • ruthless person(狠人)
  • cruel heart(狠心)
  • fierce and ruthless(凶狠)
  • vicious and merciless(狠毒)
  • firmly determined(狠下心)
  • fierce battle(狠斗)

Idioms

  • Vicious and merciless(心狠手辣)
  • Cruel and ruthless(狠心辣手)
  • Firm and resolute(狠戾恣睢)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character combines the 'dog' radical (犭) with 艮, suggesting a fierce animal nature.
  • In Chinese culture, '狠' carries negative connotations when describing personality, but can be positive when describing determination.
  • Modern usage sometimes employs '狠' in internet slang to describe someone who is exceptionally capable or determined.

FAQ