Definitions

yán (adjective) strict; stern; severe
yán (adjective) tight; closely sealed

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "exaggerate". The meaning later shifted to "extreme", "severe", and "strict". The traditional component was removed for simplification.

About

The traditional character "嚴" is structurally composed of 吅, symbolizing doubled voices, positioned above 敢, which carries a sense of daring, and 厂, representing a cliff or sheer surface, together conveying the notion of imposing stern commands from an authoritative height. Etymologically, this configuration originally centered on austere vocal expression or severe authority, with the meaning gradually expanding to encompass strictness, rigidity, and solemnity across various domains of behavior and standards. The simplified form "严" retains a condensed version of the top graphical elements from its traditional counterpart and continues to signify these core ideas of rigorous exactitude and severe demeanor in contemporary usage.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 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)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical 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)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

冬非常寒冷。

Yán dōng fēicháng hánlěng.

The severe winter is very cold.

爸爸对我要求很格。

Bàba duì wǒ yāoqiú hěn yángé.

My father is very strict with me.

这个问题很重。

Zhège wèntí hěn yánzhòng.

This problem is very serious.

老师肃地批评了他。

Lǎoshī yánsù de pīpíngle tā.

The teacher criticized him seriously.

公司制定了格的规章制度。

Gōngsī zhìdìngle yángé de guīzhāng zhìdù.

The company has established strict rules and regulations.

两国关系正处于峻的考验之中。

Liǎng guó guānxì zhèng chǔyú yánjùn de kǎoyàn zhī zhōng.

The relationship between the two countries is undergoing a severe test.

他对自己的言行一向于律己。

Tā duì zìjǐ de yánxíng yīxiàng yán yú lǜ jǐ.

He has always been strict with himself regarding his words and actions.

这项研究采用了密的方法论设计。

Zhè xiàng yánjiū cǎiyòngle yánmì de fāngfǎ lùn shèjì.

This research adopted a rigorous methodological design.