bất nhẫn

Vietnamese

Etymology

Sino-Vietnamese word from 不忍, composed of 不 (“not”) and 忍 (“to restrain oneself”).

Its original meaning is "intolerable, insufferable", whence arise "[intolerably] ruthless, heartless, cruel" and "compassionate, sympathetic [towards intolerably destitute people]"

Pronunciation

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [ʔɓət̚˧˦ ɲən˦ˀ˥]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [ʔɓək̚˦˧˥ ɲəŋ˧˨]
• (Hồ Chí Minh City) IPA^(key): [ʔɓək̚˦˥ ɲəŋ˨˩˦]

Adjective

bất nhẫn

1. (archaic, rare) intolerable; insufferable
2. (figurative) sympathetic; concerned (of feelings)

   cảm thấy bất nhẫn trước cảnh em bé mồ côi

   to feel compassionate for the plight of an orphan child

   Con cảm thấy bất nhẫn mẹ ạ. Con rất thương mẹ, nhìn rõ những đau khổ, bất hạnh của mẹ.

   I feel sympathetic, mother. I love you very much, I see clearly your anguishes and misfortunes.

3. inhumane; ruthless; cruel

   Synonym: tàn nhẫn

   nói điều đó ra kể cũng bất nhẫn

   it was rather [intolerably] heartless to say that