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威严 (wēi yán) — (adjective) dignified, majestic, imposing; (noun) dignity, awe-inspiring presence

Definition

威严 is a high-register word for solemn, awe-inspiring dignity — more literary than 严肃, and emphasizes commanding presence that inspires respect or fear rather than just being serious.

adjective
dignifiedmajesticimposing
noun
dignityawe-inspiring presence

Examples

  • 威严。
    Zhè wèi lǎo jiàng jūn kàn qǐ lái shí fēn wēi yán.
    This old general looks very dignified.
  • 威严，。
    Gù gōng de jiàn zhù hóng wěi wēi yán, lìng rén jìng wèi.
    The architecture of the Forbidden City is magnificent and imposing, inspiring awe.
  • 威严，。
    Tā zài fǎ tíng shàng bǎo chí le wēi yán, méi yǒu biǎo xiàn chū huāng zhāng.
    He maintained his dignity in court and did not show any panic.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

威wēiawe
严yánstrict

“威” conveys awe-inspiring power and “严” conveys strictness, giving a dignified, imposing presence.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

威 is made by combining 戌 and 女.

Open 威 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 嚴; 严 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
喦喦yántalkative
Sound part声符shēngfú
敢
敢gǎn嚴yán
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 嚴 combines 喦 (talkative) and 敢 (daring); the simplified 严 is a later shorthand.

Open 严 →
Appears in
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