严厉

• Pinyin: yán lì
• Hanzi breakdown: 严 = 严 simplified from 嚴, strict/tight; 厉 = 厂 (cliff) + 万, severe/harsh

Meaning

Strict; severe; harsh. Describes someone or something that is demanding and allows no room for error or leniency.

Often used to describe authority figures like parents, teachers, or bosses, as well as punishments, criticisms, or regulations. Has a more negative connotation than 严格 (strict but fair), implying harshness or severity.

Examples

1. 父亲对孩子的要求非常严厉，从不允许他们犯错。 The father is very strict with his children and never allows them to make mistakes.
2. 公司对违规行为采取了严厉的处罚措施。 The company adopted severe punishment measures for violations.
3. 老师用严厉的目光看着说谎的学生。 The teacher looked at the lying student with stern eyes.

Usage Guide

Context: discipline, criticism, authority

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 他的父亲对他很严厉。(His father is very strict with him.)
• 政府对腐败采取了严厉打击。(The government cracked down harshly on corruption.)

Don't Say

• 这个考试很严厉 (For exams, use 严格 or 难 — 严厉 is for people or punishments, not tests)

Origin & History

Compound of 严 (strict, rigorous) and 厉 (severe, fierce). Together they intensify the sense of harshness.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal