Chinese word

严

Pronunciation

Pinyinyán

Meaning

  • adjectivestrict

Example

学校的规定很严。xué xiào de guī dìng hěn yán

The school's rules are very strict.

Illustration for 严 (strict)

More examples

老师对学生很严，但学生也因此进步了。lǎo shī duì xué shēng hěn yán dàn xué shēng yě yīn cǐ jìn bù le

The teacher is very strict with the students, but the students have also improved because of it.

Core concept

Sets a firm boundary around what is allowed and expects it to be followed.

Common phrases

  • 对孩子很严duì hái zi hěn yán

    strict with children

  • 态度很严tài dù hěn yán

    strict attitude

  • 对学生很严duì xué shēng hěn yán

    strict with students

Similar words

严格yán gé: Enforcing rules or standards in a strict and exact way.
严厉yán lì: Using stern scolding or punishment when someone does wrong.
严肃yán sù: Having a grave, serious expression or manner.

Definition in Chinese

表示对行为或标准要求高，不允许违反或松懈。biǎo shì duì xíng wéi huò biāo zhǔn yāo qiú gāo bù yún xǔ wéi fǎn huò sōng xiè

Word origin

严 (yán, "strict") inherits the meaning of 嚴 (yán, "strict"), linking the modern spelling to an older character associated with firm standards and disciplined conduct.

Usage tips

  • The adjective can describe an institution's rules or a person's way of enforcing them, so context shows whether the sentence focuses on the rules or the enforcer.

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word