苛刻

• Pinyin: kē kè
• Hanzi breakdown: 苛 = 艹 (grass) + 可 — harsh, excessive; 刻 = 亥 + 刂 (knife) — to carve, severe

Meaning

Harsh; demanding; exacting; stringent.

Describes unreasonably strict standards or treatment. Usually negative — implies the demands are excessive or unfair. Collocates with 条件 (conditions), 要求 (requirements), 对人苛刻 (harsh on people).

Examples

1. 这家公司的加班文化太苛刻了，员工根本没有私人时间。 This company's overtime culture is too harsh — employees have no personal time at all.
2. 他对自己要求苛刻，每天坚持跑步十公里。 He's demanding with himself, insisting on running ten kilometers every day.
3. 合同条款过于苛刻，我们无法接受。 The contract terms are too stringent — we can't accept them.

Usage Guide

Context: work, relationships, contracts

Tone: negative

Do Say

• 条件太苛刻了。(The conditions are too harsh.)
• 他对下属很苛刻。(He's very demanding with subordinates.)

Don't Say

• 这道菜的味道很苛刻。(苛刻 is for standards/treatment, not taste — use 刺激 or 重 for strong flavors)

Origin & History

苛 (harsh, excessive) + 刻 (severe, carving). Both characters suggest severity and harshness.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal