厳 (yán) - Strict, severe, rigorous & stern

厳Tone 2

yán ｜ 16 strokes ｜ radical:

妍嬿

厳 · yán

Strict, severe, rigorous;

stern;

tight;

used in Japanese as the simplified form of 嚴.

Strict, severe, rigoroussterntight

Usage highlights

Strict teacherSevere winterRigorous examinationStrict rulesStern fatherSevere punishment

Synonyms

  • 嚴— Traditional form of 厳
  • 嚴格— strict, rigorous

Antonyms

  • 寬— lenient, generous
  • 鬆— loose, relaxed
  • 緩— slow, gentle

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The teacher is very strict (厳しい先生).
  • We need strict quality control (厳格な品質管理).
  • The examination was rigorous (厳しい試験).
  • He maintains a stern expression (厳しい表情).

Collocations

  • Strict teacher(厳しい先生)
  • Severe winter(厳しい冬)
  • Rigorous examination(厳しい審査)
  • Strict rules(厳しい規則)
  • Stern father(厳しい父親)
  • Severe punishment(厳しい罰)

Idioms

  • Strict father, filial son(厳父孝子)
  • Severe punishment, deep love(厳罰深情)
  • Strict self-discipline(厳以律己)
  • Stern face, warm heart(厳面温心)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Japanese, 厳 is the shinjitai (modern simplified form) of 嚴, used in both Japanese and simplified Chinese contexts.
  • The character conveys values of discipline, rigor, and high standards, often associated with educational and moral excellence.
  • In naming contexts, it suggests strength of character and high principles.

FAQ