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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.
Strokes17Frequency#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
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About 严格
严格Simplified
嚴格Traditional
17Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#3182Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 严格
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.
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.
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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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.
When to use 严格
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.
严格 or something close to it
严格 (yán gé) vs 严厉 (yán lì) — use 严格 for rules and standards, while 严厉 emphasizes harshness in enforcement.
What learners get wrong
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).
Write 严格
严
格
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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.
