不严 (bú) — not strict, not rigorous, lenient

Definition

Used in formal/written Chinese to describe a person or system (e.g. 监管, 管理, 老师) that fails to enforce rules — 'lax, not strict.' Pairs especially with 监管 and 纪律. Often carries a negative judgment, unlike neutral 放松.

adjective

not strictnot rigorouslenient

Examples

不严，。
Zhè cì kǎo shì jiān kǎo bú, hěn duō xué shēng zuò bì le.
The exam proctoring was not strict this time, and many students cheated.
不严。
Gōng sī guǎn lǐ bú dǎo zhì xiào lǜ dī xià.
The company's lax management led to low efficiency.
不严，。
Tā duì jì lǜ yāo qiú bú, suǒ yǐ xià shǔ bú tài pà tā.
He is not strict about discipline, so his subordinates are not very afraid of him.

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