The word 冷酷 is formed by combining two characters, each contributing a layer of meaning to create a single, powerful concept. The first character, 冷 (lěng), means "cold", evoking the physical sensation and, by extension, emotional unfeelingness or indifference. The second, 酷 (kù), means "cruel" or "harsh", suggesting active severity or ruthlessness. When fused, they do not simply add together; instead, 酷 intensifies 冷, transforming passive coldness into an actively harsh, unfeeling, and merciless quality, perfectly capturing the essence of "cruel and cold-hearted" or "ruthless".