How to Say "ruthless" in Spanish
The Spanish word for “ruthless” is “despiadado” — B2 level.
Examples
El pirata era conocido por ser un hombre despiadado.
The pirate was known for being a ruthless man.
Recibió una crítica despiadada por su última película.
He received a merciless critique for his latest movie.
En los negocios, a veces hay que ser un poco despiadado para tener éxito.
In business, sometimes you have to be a bit ruthless to be successful.
Gender Matching
Remember to change the 'o' to 'a' if you are describing a woman or a feminine object, like 'una mujer despiadada' or 'una guerra despiadada'.
Placement for Emphasis
In Spanish, putting this word after the noun makes it sound more descriptive and intense, which is how it's most commonly used.
Confusing with 'disappointed'
Mistake: “Estoy despiadado con los resultados.”
Correction: Estoy decepcionado con los resultados. 'Despiadado' means ruthless, not disappointed!
Related Translations
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