严重 (yán zhòng) — serious, severe, grave

Definition

严重 (yán zhòng) describes a problem, illness, or consequence that is serious in degree or scale. It contrasts with 严肃 (yán sù), which refers to a person's expression or attitude as serious/solemn, and with 严厉 (yán lì), which describes punishment or discipline as severe/strict. Where 严重 focuses on the gravity of an event, 严肃 and 严厉 relate to behavior or enforcement.

adjective

seriousseveregrave

Examples

严重，。
Zhège wèntí hěn yán zhòng, xūyào mǎshàng jiějué.
This problem is very serious and needs to be solved immediately.
严重，。
Tā de bìng hěn yán zhòng, yǐjīng zhùyuàn le.
His illness is very serious; he has already been hospitalized.
严重。
Zhè cì shìgù zàochéng le yán zhòng de sǔnshī.
This accident caused severe losses.

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