Meanings of 严肃
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Podcast: 严肃
Podcast: 严肃
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AI Study Notes for 严肃
严厉 (yánlì) refers to being strict or harsh, often in a disciplinary sense, while 严肃 (yánsù) emphasizes a serious demeanor without the implication of harshness.
Learners often confuse 严肃 with other similar words like 认真 (rèn zhēn), which means 'earnest' but is more informal. 严肃 is typically used in formal settings, so be mindful of the context; using it in casual conversation may sound overly stiff.
At HSK Level 5, understanding 严肃 helps students grasp the nuances of formality in language. It connects with other vocabulary related to emotions and attitudes, such as 轻松 (qīng sōng - relaxed) or 幽默 (yōu mò - humorous), allowing learners to contrast serious and light-hearted expressions.
Learners sometimes misuse 严肃 by pairing it with casual topics, like saying 严肃的游戏 (serious game) instead of a more fitting term. It should be reserved for contexts requiring gravity.
Pronunciation of 严肃
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Jason Explains 严肃 to You
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Component Characters
How to say solemn in Chinese
“solemn” in Chinese is严肃
严肃 (yán sù) refers to a serious or solemn demeanor, often used to describe a person's attitude or the atmosphere of a situation. It conveys a sense of gravity and earnestness, commonly used in formal contexts such as meetings, speeches, or discussions where a serious tone is required.
When to use 严肃
Learners often confuse 严肃 with other similar words like 认真 (rèn zhēn), which means 'earnest' but is more informal. 严肃 is typically used in formal settings, so be mindful of the context; using it in casual conversation may sound overly stiff.
严肃 or something close to it
严厉 (yánlì) refers to being strict or harsh, often in a disciplinary sense, while 严肃 (yánsù) emphasizes a serious demeanor without the implication of harshness.
What learners get wrong
Learners sometimes misuse 严肃 by pairing it with casual topics, like saying 严肃的游戏 (serious game) instead of a more fitting term. It should be reserved for contexts requiring gravity.
Write 严肃
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Practice writing 严肃 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 严肃
严肃 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 5 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.
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对待教育问题，不宜忽视，要____对待，有错即改。
When dealing with education issues, one should not be neglectful — take them seriously and correct mistakes as soon as they arise.
Example Sentences for 严肃 (10)
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Cultural Notes for 严肃
While seriousness is valued in both Chinese and Western cultures, Western contexts may allow for more light-heartedness and humor in discussions, whereas Chinese culture often maintains a more formal tone.
Frequently Asked Questions about 严肃
Yes, you can use 严肃 to describe someone who is generally serious or stern in nature.
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