严重
Traditional: 嚴重
yán zhòng HSK 4

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

这个问题很严重。
Zhège wèntí hěn yánzhòng.
This problem is very serious.
他的病不严重。
Tā de bìng bù yánzhòng.
His illness is not serious.
天气问题很严重。
Tiānqì wèntí hěn yánzhòng.
The weather problem is very grave.
问题很严重。
Wèntí hěn yánzhòng.
The problem is serious.
他病得很严重。
Tā bìng de hěn yánzhòng.
He is seriously ill.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 严 (yán) meaning 'strict' or 'tight' and 重 (zhòng) meaning 'heavy'—together, they describe something that is 'strictly heavy' or 'seriously weighty,' helping recall its meaning of 'grave' or 'serious.'

📝 Usage Notes

This word is used in both formal and informal contexts, in spoken and written Chinese. It is common in discussions about health, environment, accidents, social issues, and errors—e.g., '病情严重' (the illness is serious) or '严重错误' (serious mistake).

📖 Grammar Points

严重 often functions as a predicate adjective (e.g., 问题很严重) or as an adverbial modifier (e.g., 严重污染). It can be modified by degree adverbs like 很, 非常, or 极其 to emphasize intensity.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, using 严重 can convey a sense of urgency or concern, especially in public discourse on issues like environmental protection or public health, reflecting societal values on stability and well-being.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to 严肃 (yánsù, which means 'solemn' or 'serious in manner'), 严重 focuses on the severity of a situation rather than demeanor. It is also more intense than 重要 (zhòngyào, 'important'), as it implies urgency or criticalness.

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