Cruel in Japanese
"cruel" in Japanese, with the kanji that carry the meaning.
2 Japanese kanji carry the meaning "cruel". The most common choice is shown first.
酷View details →
Top pick
cruel, severe, atrocious, unjust
Reading: koku
14 strokes
Where it comes from
Composed of wine and tell. Strong like wine.
What it carries
Cruel, harsh, severe. Represents cruelty.
Related kanji for "cruel"
Frequently asked questions
What is the Japanese kanji for cruel?
The most common kanji for "cruel" is 酷, read as koku. It means cruel, severe, atrocious. Related kanji: 辣 (cruel).
How many strokes does 酷 have?
酷 has 14 strokes.