酷 — “Cruel / Severe / Atrocious / Unjust” in Japanese

Master (高手)こく, ひど

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“Cruel / Severe / Atrocious / Unjust” in Japanese is 酷, read koku, hido (こく, ひど). It is a Jōyō kanji taught in Japanese secondary school (junior & senior high) — the 高手 · Master tier beyond the grade 1–6 Kyōiku set, and appears in words such as 残酷 (cruel).

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What does 酷 mean?

Full details, readings & example

Kanji	酷
Meaning	Cruel / Severe / Atrocious / Unjust
Readings	こく, ひど
Grade	Master (高手 · secondary school)
Curriculum	Jōyō kanji · Japanese secondary school (JLPT N1–N2)
Example	残酷 (cruel)

How to read 酷

酷 is read koku (こく) or hido (ひど) depending on the word.

Words with 酷

残酷
苛酷

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Kanji read the same way as 酷

Same sound, different character — the classic trap. Compare them side by side:

Updated: 2026-08-28