殺 伐(さつばつ)

さつばつ

na-adjective

bleak; harsh; hostile

descriptive evaluation

1. bleak; harsh; hostile; desolate

Describes an atmosphere, environment, or relationship that feels cold, hostile, or devoid of warmth and humanity.

殺伐(さつばつ)とした雰囲気(ふんいき)だ。

The atmosphere is hostile.

職場(しょくば)の空気(くうき)が殺伐(さつばつ)としていて居(い)づらい。

The workplace atmosphere is so hostile that it's hard to be there.

ネット上(じょう)の議論(ぎろん)は殺伐(さつばつ)としがちで、建設的(けんせつてき)な意見(いけん)が埋(う)もれてしまう。

Online discussions tend to become hostile, and constructive opinions get buried.

Describes a cold, tense, or hostile atmosphere where human warmth is lacking. Almost always used in the form 殺伐(さつばつ)とした or 殺伐(さつばつ)としている. Composed of 殺(さつ) (kill) + 伐(ばつ) (attack, strike) — the characters evoke violence, giving the word a strong negative connotation.

Common collocations

殺伐(さつばつ)とした雰囲気(ふんいき): a hostile atmosphere
殺伐(さつばつ)とした空気(くうき): a tense mood
殺伐(さつばつ)とした光景(こうけい): a bleak scene
殺伐(さつばつ)とした世(よ)の中(なか): a harsh world

Usage

Almost always appears as 殺伐(さつばつ)とした + noun, functioning as a taru-adjective. Rarely used in predicative position without と.

Similar words

荒(すさ)んだ: rough, desolate — describes degraded environments or characters
険悪(けんあく): hostile, threatening — focuses more on interpersonal tension
物騒(ぶっそう): dangerous, unsafe — focuses on danger and disorder
殺風景(さっぷうけい): dreary, bare — focuses on visual bleakness without the hostility

Related Words

Compare: 険悪(けんあく) (hostile, threatening)

Compare: 物騒(ぶっそう) (dangerous, unsafe)

Compare: 殺風景(さっぷうけい) (dreary, bare)

general

Added 2026.4.2 2:21 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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