严厉
yánlì
stern, severe
Part of speech · adjective
Pattern visualization
no decomposition available
Examples
- 父亲对他的要求一向很严厉。His father has always been very strict with him.
- 老师严厉地批评了违纪的学生。The teacher sternly criticized the students who broke the rules.
Collocations
严厉批评态度严厉严厉打击严厉的目光
Mnemonic
严 yán "strict" + 厉 lì "harsh": strict and harsh, i.e. stern, severe. 严厉批评 = to criticize severely, 严厉打击 = to crack down hard. Opposite of 温柔 / 和蔼 (gentle, amiable).
Related
严格严肃凶温和
Quick check
What best contrasts with 严厉?