What is the difference between inhuman and inhumane?

Question

I was looking for an adjective to describe the conditions in a prison for the thread ¨Spanish Word of the Day: la cárcel¨. I came across the entries ¨inhuman¨and ¨inhumane¨ at the dictionary, but I couldn't understand what is the difference between these two words. ? chose ¨inhumane¨ to describe the conditions in prison by chance, no one said a thing, so I suppose I made the correct choice.

Could you please explain what is their difference, and give some examples?

Answer 1

Great question, ianta!

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Check out this forum's answer.

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This is something that I bet not a lot of English speakers know . From what I understand, they are not interchangeable.

"Inhuman" would be something/someone lacking normal human qualities, synonymous with "nonhuman".

The inhuman parents ignored their crying baby.

Can you believe how strong that person was? He had inhuman powers!

"Inhumane" would be more something cruel and insensitive. Something/someone that is inhumane would have no conscience and would not be bothered by the suffering of another being.

That mouse trap is inhumane and should not be used.

Nelson Mandela lived in inhumane conditions.

Thank you Sonrisa! That was very helpful! - ianta, Jul 28, 2011

You're welcome, ianta - SonrisaDelSol, Jul 28, 2011

Answer 2

Here's an example that just popped up in my mind....

Cannibalism is inhuman and it is inhumane to the victim.

Cannibalism: (people eating other people, and yeah some animals eat their peers) is far from being a normal human quality.

The victim was treated in a way that's not suitable for a human being and violated his basic rights, instead of getting a proper burial the guy got eaten up.

Very helpful example. - ianta, Jul 28, 2011

Answer 3

I would say inhumane conditions.

Inhuman means something that's animal-like. When we say "inhuman behavior" we mean a behavior that's exhibited by animals more than humans.

Inhumane condition: a condition that violates human rights and lacks what suits a human being.

Thank you very much SpanishPal. :) - ianta, Jul 28, 2011

You're welcome :) - SpanishPal, Jul 28, 2011

Answer 4

Inhuman - Not human - A robot is inhuman, a person who does not display human charactursitics (love, pity, guilt etc) may be considered inhuman.

Inhumane - Not treating people (or in PETA's case animales: I personally think pets shouldn't have the same rights as humans, but thats just me) as thier status as human affords them.

Well the Bolivian government has given flora (plants) the same rights as human beings.- I am not joking. - ian-hill, Jul 28, 2011

Thank you Toothpaste :) - ianta, Jul 28, 2011

I didn't know that Ian. Thanks for sharing. Interesting but weird :) - ianta, Jul 28, 2011

Answer 5

From the Cambridge English Dictionary:

Inhuman

extremely cruel, or not human in an unusual or frightening way Prisoners of war were subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment. Most people feel that there is something almost inhuman about perfection.

Inhumane

cruel and not finding the suffering of people or animals important. Conditions for prisoners were described as inhumane. Many people believe factory farming is inhumane.

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Sonrisa is correct, many English native speakers would have to look this up

This is because, as see it, the difference is very subtle, but there is a difference!

My interpretation is:

Inhuman is the fact that we KNOW people are suffering. Its cruel and frightening to the victim, but we do it anyway.

Inhumane is the fact that we don't really care about the suffering, we don't see that it matters if they suffer.

Not sure if I've explained that very well, but I hope I have helped you!

Of course you've helped me. Thank you very much! - ianta, Jul 28, 2011

Answer 6

I personally think pets shouldn't have the same rights as humans, but thats just me) as thier status as human affords them.

That's interesting, toothpaste. Why do you think they should be treated by different standards than people? I can't really think of any reason why I couldn't name an act of tormenting animals or pets 'inhumane'... just because they are not people.

i didnt say torturing, i said i dont think they should have all the same rights as humans... - toothpastechica, Jul 28, 2011

when someone argues that a dog had a troubled past and thats why they shouldnt be put down when they are attacking a child a tthe park...that is saying the dogs life is valued more then the childs, and that irks me. - toothpastechica, Jul 28, 2011

Because they are not human, i believe that human life is to be protected above and beyond an animals - toothpastechica, Jul 28, 2011

or do you think cannibolism is a good idea..cuz thats what much of the animal world does :) - toothpastechica, Jul 28, 2011