严厉

yán lì

HSK 2.0 Level 6 HSK 3.0 Level 6 Adjective Uncommon

Save to list

Definitions

1. severe
2. strict

Stop forgetting what you study.
Build recall daily.

Try HanyuGuide's Chinese review system with multiple choice, typed recall, tone-aware practice, and reviews scheduled before memory fades.

Start Free Trial $9.99 / year

Lifetime for $19.99 Try the 30-second demo

Word relationships

Antonyms

2 items

• 温和 wēn hé 温和 wēn hé mild mild, gentle (opposite of severe or strict): mild
• 慈祥 cí xiáng 慈祥 cí xiáng kindly kind and serene (opposite of harsh strictness): kindly

Related words

1 item

• 严肃 yán sù 严肃 yán sù solemn serious, solemn (can be about expression or attitude, not necessarily strict): solemn

Synonyms

1 item

• 严格 yán gé 严格 yán gé strict strict, rigorous (often about rules, requirements): strict

Usage notes

Collocations

严厉 is often used for strictness in a person's manner or discipline, not for rules themselves. Use 严格 for strict rules or requirements.

Common mistakes

Learners often confuse 严厉 (harsh, stern) with 严肃 (serious). 严厉 has a punitive connotation, while 严肃 can simply mean serious.

Example Sentences

1 shown

父亲对孩子非常 严厉 。

The father is very strict with his child.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 严厉

• 严厉打击 严厉打击 yán lì dǎ jī: to strike a severe blow
• 严厉批评 严厉批评 yán lì pī píng: to criticize severely

Child Words of 严厉

• 严 严 yán: tight (closely sealed)
• 厉 厉 lì: strict