厉

厲

lì

万 + 厂

Definitions

lì (adjective) strict; severe

lì (adjective) harsh; stern

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 厂 represents the meaning and 万 represents the sound. Simplified form of 厲.

About

厉 is the simplified form of 厲, a phonosemantic compound. The enclosing radical 厂 means 'cliff' or 'overhanging rock,' pointing to the character's meaning, while the inner component 万 (simplified from 萬) indicates the pronunciation. The original sense was a whetstone, whose grinding action against blades naturally implied harshness and abrasive contact. These qualities extended metaphorically to describe strict, stern, severe, or fierce attitudes and behaviors.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Seal etymology image

Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

她真的很厉害。

Tā zhēn de hěn lìhai.

She is really awesome.

老师对学生很严厉。

Lǎoshī duì xuéshēng hěn yánlì.

The teacher is very strict with the students.

他厉声地批评了我。

Tā lìshēng de pīpíng le wǒ.

He criticized me in a stern voice.

军队发动了凌厉的攻势。

Jūnduì fādòng le línglì de gōngshì.

The army launched a swift and fierce offensive.

政府厉行节约政策。

Zhèngfǔ lìxíng jiéyuē zhèngcè.

The government strictly enforces austerity policies.

传说中这里有厉鬼出没。

Chuánshuō zhōng zhèlǐ yǒu lìguǐ chūmò.

Legend says that fierce ghosts haunt this place.

他面带厉色地走了进去。

Tā miàn dài lìsè de zǒu le jìnqù.

He walked in with a stern expression on his face.

园区内厉禁吸烟。

Yuánqū nèi lìjìn xīyān.

Smoking is strictly prohibited within the park.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 万

Component: 厂

Example Words