酷(こく)severe, harsh, stringent, rigorous, strict, unfair, body (esp. of food, wine, etc.), weight, substance

出産(しゅっさん)後(ご)の妻(つま)に痩(や)せろと言(い)うのは酷(こく)だ。

Telling my wife to lose weight after giving birth is harsh. {severe, harsh, stringent, rigorous, strict, unfair, body (esp. of food, wine, etc.), weight, substance}

今日(きょう)の最高(さいこう)気温(きおん)は四十(よんじゅう)度(ど)。酷(こく)な暑(あつ)さだ。

Today's highest temperature is forty degrees. It's a severe heat. {severe, harsh, stringent, rigorous, strict, unfair, body (esp. of food, wine, etc.), weight, substance}

小学(しょうがく)一(いち)年生(ねんせい)にCの評定(ひょうてい)をつけるのは酷(こく)です。

Giving a C grade to a first grader is harsh. {severe, harsh, stringent, rigorous, strict, unfair, body (esp. of food, wine, etc.), weight, substance}

上司(じょうし)から酷(こく)な仕打(しう)ちを受(う)けた部下(ぶか)は上司(じょうし)への仕返(しかえ)しを試(こころ)みている。

The subordinate who received harsh treatment from his boss is attempting to retaliate against him. {severe, harsh, stringent, rigorous, strict, unfair, body (esp. of food, wine, etc.), weight, substance}

バスケの試合(しあい)に負(ま)けたことをたった一人(ひとり)の選手(せんしゅ)のせいにするのは酷(こく)です。

It is unfair to blame the loss of the basketball game on just one player. {severe, harsh, stringent, rigorous, strict, unfair, body (esp. of food, wine, etc.), weight, substance}