Definition
厉害 (lìhai) is a versatile colloquial adjective that can mean either 'amazing, impressive' (ability/skill) or 'intense, severe' (weather, illness, spice), depending on context. It's more everyday and general than 神 (shén, slang 'awesome') and less aggressive than 猛 (měng, 'fierce/intense').
adjective
amazingoutstandingimpressive (of a person's ability or skill)intensesevereterrible (of weather, illness, flavor, etc.)
Easily confused
- 利害lì hàisound-alikepros and cons; advantages and disadvantages; stakes
Examples
- 厉害，。Tā zhēn de hěn lì hai, shénme dōu huì xiū.He's really amazing; he can fix anything.
- 厉害，。Jīntiān de fēng hǎo lì hai, chàdiǎn bǎ wǒ chuī dǎo.Today's wind is so strong it almost blew me over.
- 厉害，。Zhè dào cài tài lì hai le, là de wǒ zhí liú hàn.This dish is so intense it's making me sweat from the spice.
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