冷酷

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 冷酷 is read as れいこく and means “coldhearted” and “ruthless”.
• Basic usage: It describes a ruler’s ruthless order and a warning against hastily labeling someone coldhearted.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• 冷酷な命令 / 冷酷な人だ
  • It modifies conduct in 冷酷な命令 and judges a person in 冷酷な人だ. It implies lack of compassion, not mere calmness.