厳しい

• Reading: きびしい
• Romaji: kibishii
• Kanji breakdown: 厳 (gen/gon/kibi) — strict, solemn, severe
• Pronunciation: /ki.bi.ɕiː/

Meaning

Strict; severe; harsh. Demanding high standards or difficult to endure.

An i-adjective with a wide range of uses. Can describe people (strict teacher), situations (harsh conditions), or judgments (severe criticism). Also used for weather (厳しい寒さ, severe cold) and financial difficulty (生活が厳しい, life is tough).

Examples

1. うちの父は子供に厳しい人だった。 My father was strict with his children.
2. 今年の冬は特に厳しい寒さだ。 This winter is especially bitterly cold.
3. 厳しい練習のおかげで試合に勝てた。 Thanks to the tough training, we were able to win the game.

Usage Guide

Context: school, workplace, weather

Tone: serious

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. Related to the classical form きびし. The kanji 厳 carries the meaning of solemn, strict, and awe-inspiring, connecting severity with dignity.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal