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厉害

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

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
  17. 17. impressive; formidable

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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.

Grammar

Guides that feature 厉害

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1 guide
HSK 2.0 Level 4+ HSK 3.0 Level 4+ 6 min
...死了 and ...得厉害 for “Extremely”

Add 死了 or 得厉害 after an adjective or a feeling verb to say a state is extreme, as in 累死了 and 冷得厉害.

Reading: lì hai Open guide

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