严酷 (yán kù) — harsh, severe, grim

Definition

严酷 describes conditions, reality, or punishment that is harsh and unrelenting — stronger and more literary than 残酷 (cruel, often about people or acts). Common with 现实, 惩罚, 环境.

adjective
harshseveregrim

Examples

  • 严酷
    Zhè ge dōng tiān yì cháng yán kù, qì wēn jiàng dào le líng xià sān shí dù.
    This winter was exceptionally harsh, with temperatures dropping to minus thirty degrees.
  • 严酷
    yán kù De xiàn shí ràng tā bù dé bú chóng xīn kǎo lǜ zì jǐ de jì huà.
    The grim reality forced him to reconsider his plans.
  • 严酷
    Fǎ lǜ duì tān wū fǔ bài xíng wéi yǒu yán kù de chéng fá.
    The law imposes severe punishment on corruption.
Appears in

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.