Skip to content

厉害

lì hai
HSK 2.0 Level 4 HSK 3.0 Level 4 Adjective Common

Sign in to save this word to your study lists.

Definitions

  1. 1. (used to describe sb or sth that makes a very strong impression, whether favorable or unfavorable) terrible
  2. 2. intense
  3. 3. severe
  4. 4. devastating
  5. 5. amazing
  6. 6. awesome
  7. 7. outstanding
  8. 8. (of a person) stern
  9. 9. strict
  10. 10. harsh
  11. 11. shrewd
  12. 12. tough
  13. 13. (of an animal) fierce
  14. 14. (of a resemblance) striking
  15. 15. (of liquor or chili pepper) strong
  16. 16. (of bacteria) virulent

Word relationships

Antonyms

2 items
软弱
ruǎn ruò

weak

As 'tough, harsh' vs 'weak, soft'
温和
wēn hé

mild

As 'fierce, stern' vs 'gentle, mild'

Synonyms

1 item
出色
chū sè

remarkable; outstanding

When meaning 'amazing, outstanding'

Usage notes

Common mistakes

厉害 can mean both 'terrible' and 'awesome' depending on context, so learners must rely on tone and situation.

Example Sentences

3 shown
他病得很 厉害 。
He is very seriously ill.
他咳嗽得很 厉害 。
He is coughing very severely.
海上波涛汹涌，船摇晃得 厉害 。
The sea was surging with waves, and the boat rocked violently.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 厉害

害
hài

to do harm to

厉
lì

strict