Definition
严 (yán) has two main senses: (1) 'strict, stern' — more about personal attitude or rules, stronger and more formal than 严格 (yán gé 'strict, rigorous'); (2) 'tight, sealed' — for physical closure (e.g., 拧严). For 'severe' in degree (e.g., illness, weather), use 严重 (yán zhòng) or 厉害 (lì hai) instead.
adjective
strictsternseveretighttightly sealed
Easily confused
- 产chǎnlook-aliketo produce, to manufacture, to yield
- 眼yǎnsound-alikeeye
- 演yǎnsound-aliketo perform, to act (in a play, movie, etc.)
- 烟yānsound-alikecigarette or pipe tobacco
- 盐yánsound-alikesalt
- 延yánsound-aliketo extend; to prolong (in time or length)
- 验yànsound-aliketo examine; to test; to check
- 沿yánsound-alike(preposition) along
- 淹yānsound-aliketo flood; to submerge
- 咽yànsound-aliketo swallow
Examples
- 严。Lǎoshī duì xuéshēng de yāoqiú hěn yán.The teacher has very strict requirements for students.
- ，严。Gài hǎo gàizi, nǐng yán jiù xíng le.Put the lid on and tighten it, that's enough.
- 严，。Zhè cì kǎohé hěn yán, tōngguò de rén bù duō.This assessment was very strict; not many people passed.
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