严格

• Pinyin: yán gé
• Hanzi breakdown: 严 = strict, severe; 格 = 木 (wood) + 各 (each), a pattern, standard, or grid

Meaning

Strict; rigorous; exacting. Describes adherence to high or demanding standards without flexibility.

Used as an adjective (严格的要求 — strict requirements) or as an adverb before a verb (严格执行 — to strictly enforce). More formal and thorough than 严 alone. Common in professional, educational, and regulatory contexts. Often implies that the strictness is principled and beneficial.

Examples

1. 这所学校对纪律的要求非常严格。 This school has very strict requirements regarding discipline.
2. 医院对手术前的准备工作有严格的规定。 The hospital has strict regulations for preparation work before surgery.
3. 他严格按照计划完成了所有的训练任务。 He completed all training tasks strictly according to the plan.

Usage Guide

Context: professional, academic, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 公司对员工的行为规范有严格要求。(The company has strict requirements for employee conduct.)
• 她严格控制饮食，坚持每天锻炼。(She strictly controls her diet and insists on exercising every day.)

Don't Say

• 把'严格'用于感情关系中表示亲切的关心 (Don't use 严格 to express warm care in a personal relationship — it implies formal enforcement of rules, not emotional closeness)

Origin & History

A compound of 严 (strict) and 格 (standard/pattern, from 木 wood + 各 each). Together they suggest conforming rigorously to a set standard.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal