严

• Pinyin: yán
• Hanzi breakdown: 严 = simplified from 嚴; originally depicted overlapping cliffs, conveying severity and strictness

Meaning

Strict; severe; stern. Describes a demanding standard, tight discipline, or a rigorous attitude.

Functions as an adjective meaning strict or stern, often describing a person's manner or a set of requirements. Found in expressions like 要求很严 (has very strict requirements), 管得严 (manages strictly), and as the base of compounds such as 严格, 严重, 严厉. Also used for harsh weather in classical texts.

Examples

1. 父亲对孩子要求很严，每天都要检查他们的作业。 Father sets strict requirements for the children and checks their homework every day.
2. 老师虽然很严，但大家都知道他是真心为学生好。 Although the teacher is very strict, everyone knows he genuinely cares about the students.
3. 管理不严的工厂，产品质量往往难以保证。 Factories with lax management often find it difficult to guarantee product quality.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, professional

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这家公司纪律很严，员工不能迟到。(This company has very strict discipline — employees cannot be late.)
• 他对自己的要求非常严。(He sets very strict standards for himself.)

Don't Say

• 把'严'单独用于表示质量差 (Don't use 严 alone to mean poor quality — 严 means strict or severe, not bad. 差 is the right word for poor quality)

Origin & History

Originally depicted overlapping cliff faces, conveying steepness and severity. In modern use it retains the sense of strictness and stringency. Simplified from 嚴.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal