Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Cruel, brutal, ferocious: Describes a person, group, or action that is extremely violent, ruthless, and shows no mercy. It conveys a sense of savage brutality and a complete lack of humane feeling.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Bọn xâm lược đã có những hành động hung tàn. (The invaders committed brutal acts.)
  • Chúng là những kẻ hung tàn, không chút lương tâm. (They are cruel individuals, without a shred of conscience.)
  • Sự đàn áp hung tàn của chế độ cũ. (The brutal repression of the old regime.)

Advanced Usage

• "hung tàn" is often used in formal, literary, or historical contexts to describe severe oppression, war crimes, or tyrannical rule. It carries a strong moral condemnation.
  • Tội ác hung tàn của phát xít Đức. (The brutal crimes of Nazi Germany.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hung bạo (adj): Cruel, tyrannical. A close synonym, often used interchangeably with "hung tàn."
• Tàn bạo (adj): Cruel, barbaric. Another very close synonym; "hung tàn" can sometimes be seen as more intense.
• Độc ác (adj): Malicious, wicked. Focuses more on evil intent, while "hung tàn" emphasizes violent brutality.
• Dã man (adj): Savage, barbarous. Similar in meaning, often used for inhuman acts.

Synonyms

• Cruel: Causing pain or suffering without concern.
• Brutal: Extremely violent and cruel.
• Ferocious: Savagely fierce, cruel, or violent.
• Ruthless: Having no pity or compassion.

Related Phrases (Collocations)

• Hành động hung tàn: Brutal action.
• Bản chất hung tàn: Brutal nature.
• Kẻ hung tàn: The cruel one(s)/brutal person(s).
• Chế độ hung tàn: Brutal regime.

Related Idioms

• While "hung tàn" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiomatic structure, it is a strong descriptive term used within condemnatory phrases about violence and oppression.

1. Cruel, brutal