Chinese word

严峻

Pronunciation

Pinyinyán jùn

Meaning

  • adjectiveserious

Example

现在的疫情形势很严峻。xiàn zài de yì qíng xíng shì hěn yán jùn

The current pandemic situation is very serious.

Illustration for 严峻 (serious)

More examples

企业必须应对严峻的挑战。qǐ yè bì xū yìng duì yán jùn de tiǎo zhàn

Businesses must deal with severe challenges.

Core concept

A high-stakes situation that is difficult or dangerous and leaves little room for delay.

Common phrases

  • 严峻的形势yán jùn de xíng shì

    severe situation

  • 应对严峻的挑战yìng duì yán jùn de tiǎo zhàn

    deal with severe challenges

  • 严峻的后果yán jùn de hòu guǒ

    severe consequences

Similar words

严重yán zhòng: Describes a condition whose damage or impact is great enough to cause major consequences.
紧急jǐn jí: Describes an urgent condition in which immediate action is necessary.
紧迫jǐn pò: Describes circumstances that have become so pressing that a response cannot be put off.

Definition in Chinese

用于评价形势或问题，表示其严肃、困难或危险程度很高，需谨慎应对或采取紧急措施。yòng yú píng jià xíng shì huò wèn tí biǎo shì qí yán sù kùn nán huò wēi xiǎn chéng dù hěn gāo xū jǐn shèn yìng duì huò cái qǔ jǐn jí cuò shī

Word origin

严峻 (yánjùn, "serious and severe") combines 严 (yán, "strict") with 峻 (jùn, "steep"), creating an image of conditions so harsh that they require careful action.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, it is most natural for public conditions, work situations, or major problems, while using it for a small inconvenience can make the matter sound much more grave.

Other meanings

  • severeadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 严峻性yán jùn xìngseveritynoun

Word lists with this word