厉害
Traditional: 厲害
lì hai HSK 4

English Meaning

📚 Example Sentences

这个老师很厉害。
Zhège lǎoshī hěn lìhai.
This teacher is very strict.
他跑得真厉害。
Tā pǎo de zhēn lìhai.
He runs really fast.
天气太厉害了。
Tiānqì tài lìhai le.
The weather is too harsh.
他很厉害。
Tā hěn lìhai.
He is very impressive.
这个游戏很厉害。
Zhège yóuxì hěn lìhai.
This game is awesome.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of the character 厉 (lì) which contains 厂 (factory) and 万 (ten thousand) – imagine a factory that produces ten thousand amazing things, hence 'awesome.' Or associate 害 (hài) with 'harm' to remember its secondary meaning of 'severe' (as in harmful intensity).

📝 Usage Notes

This word is extremely common in both spoken and informal written Chinese (e.g., social media, messages). It is neutral in register but is rarely used in highly formal documents. Common contexts include praising someone's talent ("你真厉害!"), describing a powerful opponent ("对手很厉害"), or commenting on the severity of a situation ("头疼得厉害").

📖 Grammar Points

Often used with degree adverbs like 很, 非常, or 太. Can function as a predicate (他很厉害) or a complement after 得 to indicate a high degree (跑得快得厉害). In the structure "Subject + Verb/Ajective + 得 + 厉害," it intensifies the verb/adjective.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, directly saying "你很厉害" is a common and sincere form of praise. However, when receiving such praise, it's customary to respond modestly (e.g., 哪里哪里 or 过奖了) rather than accepting it directly, to show humility.

🔄 Similar Words

强大 (qiángdà) means 'powerful' or 'strong,' often for nations or forces, and is more formal. 棒 (bàng) means 'great' or 'awesome' but is more casual and enthusiastic, typically used for praise only. 厉害 is broader, covering praise, intensity, and severity.

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