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森严 (sēn yán) — strict; stern; forbidding (used to describe atmosphere, hierarchy, security, etc.)

Definition

A formal adjective describing an atmosphere, hierarchy, or security as strict, stern, and intimidating — a vivid, written word, stronger and more literary than 严格.

verb
strictsternforbidding (used to describe atmosphere, hierarchy, security, etc.)

Examples

  • 森严。
    Zhè ge gōng sī de děng jí sēn yán.
    This company has a strict hierarchy.
  • 森严。
    Zhěng gè dì qū jiè bèi sēn yán.
    The entire area is under tight security.
  • 森严。
    Fǎ tíng shàng de qì fen sēn yán.
    The atmosphere in the courtroom was forbidding.
Appears in
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