Chinese word

严重

Pronunciation

Pinyinyán zhòng

Meaning

  • adjectiveserious

Example

他的病情严重，需要住院。tā de bìng qíng yán zhòng xū yào zhù yuàn

His condition is serious, and he needs to be hospitalized.

Illustration for 严重 (serious)

More examples

如果不及时处理，问题会变得严重。rú guǒ bù jí shí chú lǐ wèn tí huì biàn de yán zhòng

If not dealt with promptly, the problem will become serious.

Core concept

A situation carries so much weight that its scale or harmful consequences demand attention.

Common phrases

  • 病情严重bìng qíng yán zhòng

    serious condition

  • 问题严重wèn tí yán zhòng

    serious problem

  • 后果严重hòu guǒ yán zhòng

    serious consequences

Similar words

危险wēi xiǎn: A situation is dangerous when harm or damage is likely.
重大zhòng dà: An issue, event, or decision has great importance or effects and needs special care.
严肃yán sù: A manner or atmosphere is earnest and solemn, showing that a matter is not treated lightly.

Definition in Chinese

表示事情重要且可能带来负面后果，影响范围或程度较大。biǎo shì shì qíng zhòng yào qiě kě néng dài lái fù miàn hòu guǒ yíng xiǎng fàn wéi huò chéng dù jiào dà

Word origin

严重 (yánzhòng, "serious") combines 严 (yán, "strict") with 重 (zhòng, "heavy") to present a matter as weighty, with consequences that are hard to ignore.

Usage tips

  • In health news and daily conversation, this adjective commonly modifies conditions, injuries, and problems, so it signals more than a simple inconvenience.

Other meanings

  • severeadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 严重性yán zhòng xìngseveritynoun
  • 严重程度yán zhòng chéng dùdegree of severitynoun

Word lists with this word