厉害 (lì hai) — amazing, outstanding, impressive (of a person's ability or skill); intense, severe, terrible (of weather, illness, flavor, etc.)

Definition

Slang-leaning praise for impressive skill ('amazing, awesome!'), also used for harsh weather, pain, or spice. Slang sense overlaps with 神 and 猛; 严 / 苛刻 / 严峻 are for strict people or conditions, not skill.

adjective
amazingoutstandingimpressive (of a person's ability or skill)intensesevereterrible (of weather, illness, flavor, etc.)

Examples

  • 厉害
    Tā zhēn de hěn lì hai, shén me dōu huì xiū.
    He's really amazing; he can fix anything.
  • 厉害
    Jīn tiān de fēng hǎo lì hai, chà diǎn 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 dé wǒ zhí liú hàn.
    This dish is so intense it's making me sweat from the spice.

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