森严 (sēn yán) — strict; stern; forbidding (used to describe atmosphere, hierarchy, security, etc.)
Definition
A formal adjective describing an atmosphere, hierarchy, or security as strict, stern, and intimidating — a vivid, written word, stronger and more literary than 严格.
verb
strictsternforbidding (used to describe atmosphere, hierarchy, security, etc.)
Examples
- 森严。Zhè ge gōng sī de děng jí sēn yán.This company has a strict hierarchy.
- 森严。Zhěng gè dì qū jiè bèi sēn yán.The entire area is under tight security.
- 森严。Fǎ tíng shàng de qì fen sēn yán.The atmosphere in the courtroom was forbidding.
Appears in
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.