ใจดำ

Explanation

The word combines ใจ “heart, mind” and ดำ “black,” but it normally does not refer to literal color. Its most common use describes someone who shows no pity, kindness, or consideration when compassion is expected. It is more specific than simply calling someone a bad person: the focus is on emotional coldness or a refusal to help. The noun use is most useful to learners in the expression แทงใจดำ, meaning to hit a nerve, expose an uncomfortable truth, or touch someone's sore spot.

Usage

It is commonly used to criticize someone who refuses to help, abandons a person in need, or treats a vulnerable person or animal without compassion. Among close friends or partners, it can also be used less seriously to complain that someone is being cold. แทงใจดำ is used when a comment hits a nerve, exposes an uncomfortable truth, or accurately identifies something the person wanted to hide.

Caution

Calling someone ใจดำ directly can sound like a strong attack on their character. In situations requiring tact, an indirect expression such as ไม่ค่อยเห็นใจคนอื่น, “not very considerate of others,” may be safer. Despite containing ดำ, this word is not normally a reference to skin color.

1 heartless synonyms

• เห็นแก่ตัว

  hěn kɛ̀ɛ tua selfish

  เห็นแก่ตัว means selfish and emphasizes putting one's own interests first. ใจดำ instead emphasizes a lack of sympathy or compassion.

• ใจร้าย

  cayráay mean

  ใจร้าย broadly means mean or cruel and can describe actively hurting someone. ใจดำ focuses more specifically on withholding sympathy, mercy, or kindness.

2 hidden truth synonyms

• ความในใจ

  ความในใจ broadly refers to one's private thoughts or feelings. In its noun use, ใจดำ points to a concealed or sensitive truth and is normally found in แทงใจดำ.