Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Compassionate, pitying: Feeling or showing sympathy and sorrow for someone else's misfortune.
   • Rather ruthless, rather heartless: Lacking compassion or kindness; being somewhat cruel or unfeeling.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Compassionate):
  • Cảm thấy bất nhẫn trước cảnh em bé mồ côi. (To feel compassionate for the plight of an orphan child.)
• Adjective (Heartless):
  • Nói điều đó ra kể cũng bất nhẫn. (It was rather heartless to say that.)
  • Nói thẳng điều đó ra kể cũng bất nhẫn. (It is truly cruel to say that bluntly.)

Advanced Usage

• This word is a literary and somewhat formal term. Its meaning is highly dependent on context, as it can express two seemingly opposite sentiments. The intended meaning is usually clear from the situation described.

Word Origin and Notes

• Origin: A Sino-Vietnamese word (Hán Việt). The component "bất" often indicates negation or opposition, while "nhẫn" can relate to endurance, patience, or ruthlessness. This complex origin contributes to the word's dual meaning.
• Note: The meaning of "compassionate" arises from the concept of "being unable to endure (the sight of suffering)," while "heartless" stems from "being without forbearance or mercy."

Synonyms

• For "compassionate": Merciful, sympathetic, pitying.
• For "heartless": Cruel, unfeeling, ruthless, merciless.

Antonyms

• For the "compassionate" sense: Cruel, indifferent, cold-hearted.
• For the "heartless" sense: Kind, compassionate, merciful.

adj

1. Compassionate, pitying
   • cảm thấy bất nhẫn trước cảnh em bé mồ côi
     to feel compassionate for the plight of an orphan child
2. Rather ruthless, rather heartless
   • nói điều đó ra kể cũng bất nhẫn
     it was rather heartless to say that