Definitions
(adjective)
strict; stern; severe
(adjective)
tight; closely sealed
About
The character "严", in its traditional form "嚴", originates from a concept of solemnity and urgency, with its earliest meanings relating to a stern command or a pressing situation. Its structure, composed of elements suggesting a cliff and a doubling, evokes a sense of imposing height and unyielding severity, which informed its core semantic shift towards denoting strictness, rigor, and tightness. Over time, this core meaning expanded to encompass a broad range of applications, from describing a person's severe demeanor and exacting standards to characterizing a tightly sealed object or a severe, inclement climate. The modern simplified form "严" retains the essential top component of the traditional character, preserving its visual and conceptual link to austerity while streamlining its written form.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
严冬非常寒冷。
爸爸对我要求很严格。
这个问题很严重。
老师严肃地批评了他。
公司制定了严格的规章制度。
两国关系正处于严峻的考验之中。
他对自己的言行一向严于律己。
这项研究采用了严密的方法论设计。