Meanings of 苛刻
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About 苛刻
Podcast: 苛刻
Podcast: 苛刻
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AI Study Notes for 苛刻
苛刻 (kēkè) vs 严苛 (yánkē) — use 苛刻 for general harshness, while 严苛 emphasizes severity and strictness.
Be cautious when using 苛刻, as it carries a negative connotation; it is typically used in informal or critical discussions rather than formal contexts. Common collocations include 苛刻的要求 (kēkè de yāoqiú - harsh demands) or 苛刻的批评 (kēkè de pīpíng - severe criticism).
While 苛刻 is not specifically listed in the HSK vocabulary, it can be connected to HSK 4 and 5 words related to criticism and evaluation, such as 严格 (yángé - strict) and 评价 (píngjià - to evaluate). Focus on understanding its tone and usage in critiques.
Learners often confuse 苛刻 with words that have a similar meaning but less severe implications, such as 严格. For example, saying '他是一个严格的老师' (He is a strict teacher) is acceptable, but '他是一个苛刻的老师' implies he is unreasonably harsh, which may not be the intended meaning.
Pronunciation of 苛刻
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Component Characters
How to say harsh in Chinese
“harsh” in Chinese is苛刻
The term 苛刻 (kēkè) refers to a standard that is excessively demanding or harsh. It is often used in contexts where someone is being overly critical or where conditions are unreasonably tough, such as in work environments or academic settings.
When to use 苛刻
Be cautious when using 苛刻, as it carries a negative connotation; it is typically used in informal or critical discussions rather than formal contexts. Common collocations include 苛刻的要求 (kēkè de yāoqiú - harsh demands) or 苛刻的批评 (kēkè de pīpíng - severe criticism).
苛刻 or something close to it
苛刻 (kēkè) vs 严苛 (yánkē) — use 苛刻 for general harshness, while 严苛 emphasizes severity and strictness.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 苛刻 with words that have a similar meaning but less severe implications, such as 严格. For example, saying '他是一个严格的老师' (He is a strict teacher) is acceptable, but '他是一个苛刻的老师' implies he is unreasonably harsh, which may not be the intended meaning.
Write 苛刻
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Frequently Asked Questions about 苛刻
Yes, 苛刻 typically has a negative connotation, implying that someone or something is excessively harsh.
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