严肃
Traditional: 嚴肅
yán sù HSK 5

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

老师表情很严肃。
Lǎoshī biǎoqíng hěn yánsù.
The teacher's expression is very serious.
这是一个严肃的问题。
Zhè shì yī gè yánsù de wèntí.
This is a serious problem.
他严肃地批评了我。
Tā yánsù de pīpíng le wǒ.
He criticized me seriously.
他很严肃。
Tā hěn yánsù.
He is very serious.
老师很严肃。
Lǎoshī hěn yánsù.
The teacher is very stern.

💡 Memory Tip

Break the characters down: 严 (yán) means 'strict' or 'tight', and 肃 (sù) means 'respectful' or 'solemn'. Think of a strict (严) teacher who commands a respectful, solemn (肃) atmosphere in the classroom.

📝 Usage Notes

It is used in both formal and informal contexts, and appears in both spoken and written Chinese. Common contexts include describing a person's facial expression or demeanor, the tone of a speech or meeting, a work environment, or a topic of discussion that is grave or important.

📖 Grammar Points

It can function as a predicate (e.g., 他很严肃), an attributive (e.g., 严肃的问题), or an adverbial (e.g., 严肃地说). It can be modified by degree adverbs like 很, 非常, 十分.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, being 严肃 is often associated with responsibility, authority, and respect, especially in formal or hierarchical settings like workplaces, schools, or official ceremonies. It is not inherently negative but can imply a lack of approachability if overused.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to 认真 (rènzhēn, 'conscientious' or 'earnest'), which focuses on being careful and diligent in action, 严肃 emphasizes gravity and solemnity in manner or tone. Compared to 严格 (yángé, 'strict'), which focuses on rigidly enforcing rules, 严肃 focuses on the serious attitude itself.

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