Korean word

엄격하다

Pronunciation

Romanizationeomgyeokada

Meaning

  • adjectivestrict

Example

선생님은 엄격해요.seon saeng ni meun eom gyeo kae yo

The teacher is strict.

Illustration for 엄격하다 (strict)

More examples

회사 규정이 엄격해요.hoe sa kyu jeong i eom gyeo kae yo

The company's regulations are strict.

Core concept

A clearly enforced rule creates a narrow boundary for acceptable behavior.

Common phrases

  • 엄격한 기준eom gyeo kan ki jun

    strict standards

  • 엄격한 규칙eom gyeo kan kyu chik

    strict rules

  • 엄격한 부모eom gyeo kan pu mo

    strict parents

Similar words

엄하다eomhada: Shows a stern, unyielding attitude that allows little softness.
깐깐하다kkankkanhada: Notices minor faults and expects everything to meet exact standards.

Definition in Korean

원칙이나 규정을 강하게 적용하여 관용이나 예외를 적게 보이는 상태.won chi gi na kyu jeong eul kang ha ge cheo gyong ha yeo kwa nyong i na ye oe reul cheok kke po i neun sang tae

Word origin

엄격하다 (eomgyeokada, "to be strict") combines the Sino-Korean term 엄격 (eomgyeo, "strictness") with 하다 (kada, "to do") to form an adjective.

Usage tips

  • The word often describes consistent enforcement rather than anger, which helps distinguish strict rules or teachers from simply unfriendly ones.

Opposites

  • 관대하다kwandaehadalenientadjective
  • 느슨하다neuseunhadalaxadjective

Related words

  • 엄격성eomgyeoksseongstrictnessnoun
  • 엄격히eomgyeokistrictlyadverb

Word lists with this word