cruel
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cruel
Intentionally and without pity causing someone or something pain or suffering. It describes an action or person that is extremely brutal and inhuman.
Die Behandlung der Gefangenen war grausam und verstieß gegen alle Menschenrechte.
The treatment of the prisoners was cruel and violated all human rights.
awful
Used colloquially to describe something as very bad, terrible, or unpleasant.
Bei diesem grausamen Wetter will man gar nicht vor die Tür gehen.
In this awful weather, you don't want to go outside at all.
The adjective 'grausam' (cruel) is related to the noun 'der Graus', which means 'horror' or 'dread'. Something cruel therefore creates a feeling of horror.
Der Anblick der Zerstörung war ein Graus.
The sight of the destruction was a horror.
The meaning of 'grausam' (cruel/awful) depends strongly on the context. In connection with violence, crimes, or suffering, it means 'brutal'. In colloquial language about things like weather or food, it simply means 'very bad'.
Der Diktator führte ein grausames Regime.
The dictator ran a cruel regime.
In the meaning of 'brutal', 'grausam' (cruel) is often used to describe acts, crimes, or people's character. Typical combinations are 'eine grausame Tat' (a cruel act), 'ein grausames Schicksal' (a cruel fate), or 'ein grausamer Mensch' (a cruel person).
Der Film erzählt die Geschichte eines grausamen Verbrechens.
The film tells the story of a cruel crime.
The use of 'grausam' (awful) in the sense of 'terrible' or 'very bad' is typical of informal colloquial language. In formal texts, this meaning would usually be avoided.
Die Musik auf der Party war einfach nur grausam.
The music at the party was simply awful.
brutal
Brutal and grausam can both describe a terrible, ruthless act. Brutal primarily emphasizes extreme, raw violence. Grausam more strongly highlights that someone intentionally and without pity causes pain or suffering; both words can fit the same act.
Der Täter ließ den verletzten Mann grausam leiden, ohne ihm zu helfen.
The perpetrator cruelly let the injured man suffer without helping him.
Der Täter schlug den wehrlosen Mann brutal zu Boden.
The perpetrator brutally beat the defenseless man to the ground.
