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严谨 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
严谨yánjǐnrigorousHSK 7, unknown, 20 strokes, rank #16297, Very Hard
严谨yánjǐnstrictHSK 7, unknown, 20 strokes, rank #16297, Very Hard
严谨yánjǐncarefulHSK 7, unknown, 20 strokes, rank #16297, Very Hard
严谨yánjǐncautiousHSK 7, unknown, 20 strokes, rank #16297, Very Hard
严谨yánjǐncompactHSK 7, unknown, 20 strokes, rank #16297, Very Hard
严谨yánjǐnwell-knitHSK 7, unknown, 20 strokes, rank #16297, Very Hard
yánjǐn(yan2jin3) T2
  1. 1rigorous
  2. 2strict
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March 24, 2026

严谨(嚴謹)yánjǐn(yan2jin3)

严谨 (yán jǐn) refers to a quality of being rigorous, strict, and meticulous, often used to describe a person's approach to work or study. It suggests carefulness and precision, indicating that someone pays close attention to details and adheres strictly to rules or standards.

Strokes20Frequency#16297DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, being 严谨 is often highly valued in education and professional fields, reflecting a commitment to excellence and thoroughness. It aligns with the Confucian emphasis on diligence and responsibility.

Memory Tip

Think of a strict teacher (严) who is very careful (谨) about every detail in a lesson plan. The character 严 combines the radical for 'to speak' and 'to hold,' reminding you of someone firmly holding onto strict standards.

Meanings of 严谨

yánjǐn(yan2jin3)
1rigorous
2strict
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 严谨

严谨Simplified
嚴謹Traditional
20Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2

Podcast: 严谨

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Podcast: 严谨

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AI Study Notes for 严谨

Quick Contrast

精确 (jīngquè) vs 严谨 (yánjǐn): use 严谨 when emphasizing strictness and attention to detail in approach, while 精确 focuses on exactness and accuracy in measurements or information.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include using 严谨 in casual contexts where a less formal term would be appropriate. This term is typically more formal and used in academic or professional settings. Be mindful of the tone when using it; it can convey a strong sense of seriousness.

HSK Study Tips

Though not at a specific HSK level, the word connects well with other adjectives describing personal qualities, such as 认真 (rèn zhēn, serious) and 严厉 (yán lì, stern). Focus on using it in contexts related to work ethic or academic rigor.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 严谨 with 严格 (yán gé, strict) and use it inappropriately in casual contexts. For example, saying 'He's very 严谨 with his friends' is incorrect; it should be 'He's very 严格 with his friends.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 严谨

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Component Characters

严yántight (closely sealed)
HSK 67 strokes一
View full entry
谨jǐncautious
HSK 713 strokes讠
View full entry

How to say rigorous in Chinese

“rigorous” in Chinese is严谨yánjǐn

严谨 (yán jǐn) refers to a quality of being rigorous, strict, and meticulous, often used to describe a person's approach to work or study. It suggests carefulness and precision, indicating that someone pays close attention to details and adheres strictly to rules or standards.

When to use 严谨

Common mistakes include using 严谨 in casual contexts where a less formal term would be appropriate. This term is typically more formal and used in academic or professional settings. Be mindful of the tone when using it; it can convey a strong sense of seriousness.

严谨 or something close to it

精确 (jīngquè) vs 严谨 (yánjǐn): use 严谨 when emphasizing strictness and attention to detail in approach, while 精确 focuses on exactness and accuracy in measurements or information.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 严谨 with 严格 (yán gé, strict) and use it inappropriately in casual contexts. For example, saying 'He's very 严谨 with his friends' is incorrect; it should be 'He's very 严格 with his friends.'

Write 严谨

严
谨

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

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Frequently Asked Questions about 严谨

Generally, yes, but it can imply excessive strictness in some contexts.

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