严格
Traditional: 嚴格
yán gé HSK 4

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

老师对学生很严格。
Lǎoshī duì xuéshēng hěn yángé.
The teacher is very strict with the students.
公司有严格的规定。
Gōngsī yǒu yángé de guīdìng.
The company has strict rules.
他对工作很严格。
Tā duì gōngzuò hěn yángé.
He is very rigorous about work.
老师很严格。
Lǎoshī hěn yángé.
The teacher is very strict.
规则很严格。
Guīzé hěn yángé.
The rules are very strict.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 严 (yán) meaning 'strict' and 格 (gé) meaning 'standard'—together, they form 'strict standards.' Associate it with a teacher who grades exams rigorously.

📝 Usage Notes

Used in both formal and informal contexts, common in written and spoken Chinese. Frequently appears in settings like education, work, law, and personal conduct to emphasize adherence to standards.

📖 Grammar Points

Often used as an attributive adjective (e.g., 严格的标准) or adverbial with 地 (e.g., 严格地执行). Can be modified by degree adverbs like 十分, 非常, or 不.

🏯 Cultural Notes

Reflects cultural values of discipline and high standards in education and work, common in contexts like exam preparation or quality control in manufacturing.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to 严厉 (yánlì), which focuses on sternness in attitude or punishment, 严格 emphasizes rigorous standards and precision. 严肃 (yánsù) means 'serious' in demeanor or atmosphere, not necessarily involving rules.

Master this word with quizzes, flashcards & more

Learn 严格 in CILI →

Related Words