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严格 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
严格yángéstrictHSK 4, ad, rank #3182, Medium
严格yángéstringentHSK 4, ad, rank #3182, Medium
严格yángétightHSK 4, ad, rank #3182, Medium
严格yángérigorousHSK 4, ad, rank #3182, Medium
yángé(yan2ge2) T2
  1. 1strict
  2. 2stringent
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March 24, 2026
严格(嚴格)yángé(yan2ge2)

严格 (yán gé) means strict or rigorous, often used to describe rules, standards, or behaviors that are enforced with little leniency. In various contexts, such as education or workplace settings, it conveys a sense of discipline and high expectations.

Frequency#3182DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, strictness is often associated with the education system, where teachers are expected to maintain a disciplined environment to promote learning. This reflects the value placed on hard work and achievement.

Memory Tip

Think of 严 (yán) as a barrier that is tough to cross, suggesting strictness, while 格 (gé) can remind you of a grid or framework, indicating structure. Together, they create a vivid image of an unyielding framework of rules.

Meanings of 严格

yángé(yan2ge2)
1strict
2stringent
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 严格

严格Simplified
嚴格Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#3182Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1

Podcast: 严格

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Podcast: 严格

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AI Study Notes for 严格

Quick Contrast

严格 (yán gé) vs 严厉 (yán lì) — use 严格 for rules and standards, while 严厉 emphasizes harshness in enforcement.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 严 (yán) as a barrier that is tough to cross, suggesting strictness, while 格 (gé) can remind you of a grid or framework, indicating structure. Together, they create a vivid image of an unyielding framework of rules.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 严格 with similar words like 严肃 (serious) or 严厉 (stern), as they have different connotations. This word is often used in formal contexts, such as policies or regulations, so ensure you're using it appropriately.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 4 word, 严格 connects with other terms related to rules and discipline. Focus on using it in sentences to describe various scenarios, such as school rules or workplace expectations, to reinforce understanding.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, strictness is often associated with the education system, where teachers are expected to maintain a disciplined environment to promote learning. This reflects the value placed on hard work and achievement.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 严格 to describe feelings or emotions, which is incorrect. Instead of saying '我觉得这个电影很严格' (I think this movie is very strict), one should use '我觉得这个电影很严肃' (I think this movie is very serious).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 严格

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Component Characters

严yántight (closely sealed)
HSK 67 strokes一
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格gésquare
HSK 710 strokes木
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Write 严格

严
格

Practice writing 严格 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 严格

严格 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

协会的所有成员都遵守一套____的行为规范。

All members of the association adhere to a strict code of practice.

Example Sentences for 严格 (10)

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1
协会的所有成员都遵守一套严格的行为规范。

xié huì de suǒ yǒu chéng yuán dū zūn shǒu yī tào yán gé de háng wéi guī fàn。

All members of the association adhere to a strict code of practice.
2
孩子们必须参加一次严格的选拔测试。

hái zǐ mén bì xū cān jiā yī cì yán gé de xuǎn bá cè shì。

The children have to sit a tough selection test.
3
他通过严格控制公共开支保持预算平衡。

tā tōng guò yán gé kòng zhì gōng gòng kāi zhī bǎo chí yù suàn píng héng。

He balanced his budgets by rigid control over public expenditure.
4
在我们的研究中，有几所大学制定了严格的学生行为规则。

zài wǒ mén de yán jiū zhōng， ， yǒu jī suǒ dà xué zhì dìng le yán gé de xué shēng háng wéi guī。

Several colleges in our study have rigid rules about student conduct.
5
他因是个严格纪律执行者而闻名遐迩。

tā yīn shì gè yán gé jì lǜ zhí háng zhě ér wén míng xiá ěr。

He has a reputation for being a strict disciplinarian.
6
事实上，严格说来那不是真的。

shì shí shàng， ， yán gé shuō lái nà bù shì zhēn。

Actually, that is not strictly true.
7
慢慢来，不要图省事，要严格按照说明去做。

màn màn lái， ， bù yào tú shěng， shì ， yào yán gé àn zhào shuō míng。

Take your time, don't cut corners and follow instructions to the letter.
8
对录像片内容实行了更为严格的监管。

duì lù xiàng piàn nèi róng shí háng le gēng wéi yán gé de jiān guǎn。

Stricter controls were placed on the content of video films.
9
每条连衣裙都缝上了褶边，并经过严格的检查，不允许有任何瑕疵。

měi tiáo lián yī qún dū féng shàng le zhě biān， ， bìng jīng guò yán gé de jiǎn， chá ， bù yǔn xǔ yǒu rèn hé。

Each dress is hemmed and scrupulously checked for imperfections.
10
菜单每周都有变化，通常包含可供严格的素食者选择的菜肴。

cài dān měi zhōu dū yǒu biàn huà， ， tōng cháng bāo hán kě gōng yán gé de sù shí zhě xuǎn zé de cài。

The menu changes weekly and usually includes a vegan option.

Cultural Notes for 严格

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, strictness is often associated with the education system, where teachers are expected to maintain a disciplined environment to promote learning. This reflects the value placed on hard work and achievement.

Frequently Asked Questions about 严格

You can say: '老师对学生的要求很严格' (The teacher has strict requirements for the students).