caan4 bou6 bat1 jan4殘暴不仁残暴不仁
Jyutpingcaan4 bou6 bat1 jan4
Yalechàahn bouh bāt yàhn
Definition
Cruel, brutal, heartless, and inhumane.
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How it's used
This is a formal idiom that carries a heavy, serious tone, often used to condemn extreme cruelty or lack of empathy. Because it is derived from classical Chinese, it sounds quite dramatic in everyday speech and is usually reserved for describing someone who is truly wicked or inhumane. You will often hear it in news reports or when people are expressing strong moral outrage.
Examples
He is so cruel to the children, it is really going too far.
How can he be so heartless as to treat small animals like that?
Related words
Common phrases
brutal methods
inhumane behavior
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this for minor annoyances or someone being slightly mean. It is far too strong for everyday social situations and should be saved for describing genuinely malicious or abusive behavior.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
