严重

• Pinyin: yán zhòng
• Hanzi breakdown: 严 = severe, strict; 重 = 千 (thousand) + 里, heavy or serious

Meaning

Serious; severe; grave. Describes a situation, problem, or condition of significant concern or danger.

Used both as a predicate adjective (情况很严重 — the situation is very serious) and as an attributive (严重问题 — serious problem). Common in medical contexts (病情严重 — the condition is severe), environmental discussions, and news reporting. Conveys that the matter demands immediate attention.

Examples

1. 这次事故造成了严重的人员伤亡。 This accident caused serious casualties.
2. 他的病情十分严重，医生建议立即住院治疗。 His condition is very serious, and the doctor recommends immediate hospitalisation.
3. 环境污染问题越来越严重，需要全社会共同努力解决。 Environmental pollution is becoming increasingly serious and requires joint efforts from the whole of society to resolve.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, news, medical

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 这个问题很严重，必须马上处理。(This issue is very serious and must be dealt with immediately.)
• 空气污染对健康造成了严重影响。(Air pollution has had a serious impact on health.)

Don't Say

• 用'严重'形容小事或开玩笑的语境 (Don't use 严重 for trivial matters in a joking context — it carries real weight and can make light situations sound inappropriately alarming)

Origin & History

A compound of 严 (severe) and 重 (heavy/serious). Together they convey a weighty and pressing seriousness.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal