Chinese word

严肃

Pronunciation

Pinyinyán sù

Meaning

  • adjectiveserious

Example

会议气氛很严肃。huì yì qì fēn hěn yán sù

The atmosphere at the meeting is very serious.

Illustration for 严肃 (serious)

More examples

老师用很严肃的语气批评了学生。lǎo shī yòng hěn yán sù de yǔ qì pī píng le xué shēng

The teacher criticized the student in a very solemn tone.

Core concept

A firm, restrained tone that treats a matter with care rather than playfulness.

Common phrases

  • 严肃的语气yán sù de yǔ qì

    solemn tone

  • 严肃的表情yán sù de biǎo qíng

    serious expression

Similar words

认真rèn zhēn: Serious about a task, giving it focused attention and careful effort.
严厉yán lì: Harsh and strict when judging or correcting a person's actions or mistakes.
庄重zhuāng zhòng: Calm, dignified, and solemn in a formal setting.

Definition in Chinese

用来形容言行或氛围端正、认真、不随便，带有不轻松或需要谨慎对待的意味。yòng lái xíng róng yán xíng huò fēn wéi duān zhèng rèn zhēn bù suí biàn dài yǒu bù qīng sōng huò xū yào jǐn shèn duì dài de yì wèi

Word origin

严肃 (yánsù, "serious") combines 严 (yán, "strict") with 肃 (sù, "solemn"), joining firmness and respect into a serious manner or atmosphere.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, this adjective often describes a temporary tone or situation, while describing a person's whole character requires clearer context.

Other meanings

  • earnestadjective

Opposites

  • 轻浮qīng fúfrivolousadjective

Related words

  • 严肃认真yán sù rèn zhēnsolemn and conscientiousidiom
  • 严肃性yán sù xìngseriousnessnoun

Word lists with this word