严重

yán zhòng

HSK 2.0 Level 4 HSK 3.0 Level 4 Adjective Very common

Definitions

1. grave
2. serious
3. severe
4. critical

Word relationships

Antonyms

1 item

• 轻微 qīng wēi 轻微 qīng wēi slight 轻微的问题 / 严重的问题 (minor problem / serious problem): slight

Related words

1 item

• 严肃 yán sù 严肃 yán sù solemn 严肃的表情，严重的事态 (stern expression, serious situation): solemn

Usage notes

Collocations

严重 often pairs with negative results like 后果 (consequences), 问题 (problem), 损失 (loss). Avoid using it for people's personalities.

Common mistakes

Don't confuse 严重 (serious in degree) with 严肃 (stern in manner). Saying 他很严重 is wrong; use 他病得很严重 (He is seriously ill).

Example Sentences

5 shown

台风 严重 影响了沿岸地区。

The typhoon severely affected the coastal areas.

环境污染问题日益 严重 。

The problem of environmental pollution is becoming increasingly serious.

这个问题尤为 严重 。

This problem is especially serious.

公司人才流失 严重 。

The company is suffering from a severe brain drain.

这个问题很 严重 。

This problem is very serious.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 严重

• 严重危害 严重危害 yán zhòng wēi hài: severe harm
• 严重问题 严重问题 yán zhòng wèn tí: serious problem
• 严重后果 严重后果 yán zhòng hòu guǒ: grave consequence; serious repercussion
• 严重急性呼吸系统综合症 严重急性呼吸系统综合症 yán zhòng jí xìng hū xī xì tǒng zōng hé zhèng: severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)
• 严重性 严重性 yán zhòng xìng: seriousness
• 严重关切 严重关切 yán zhòng guān qiè: serious concern
• 日趋严重 日趋严重 rì qū yán zhòng: more critical with every passing day

Child Words of 严重

• 严 严 yán: tight (closely sealed)
• 重 重 chóng: to repeat
• 重 重 zhòng: heavy