厳しい
きびしい·kibishii
Meaning
strict; harsh; severe; demanding; tough
Nuance & Usage
厳しい covers a range of meanings from "strict" (describing a person) to "severe" (describing conditions) to "harsh" (describing criticism). 厳しい先生 (a strict teacher), 厳しい条件 (severe conditions), 厳しい批判 (harsh criticism), 厳しい状況 (a tough situation) are all natural uses. The phrase 厳しく言う means "to say bluntly/harshly." 厳しさ is the noun form. 厳しい but fair teachers are often respected in Japanese culture — strictness is associated with high standards and care.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 厳しい with 難しい (difficult) or 怖い (scary). A 厳しい boss sets high standards; a 怖い boss is simply frightening. 厳しい and 激しい (hageshii — intense, violent) also sound similar — note that 激しい refers to intensity (e.g., 激しい雨 — heavy rain) while 厳しい refers to strictness or severity. 厳しく (adverb) means strictly or harshly: 厳しく注意する (to warn someone sternly).
Example Sentences (3)
父はとても厳しい人だったが、今ではありがたいと思っている。
ちちはとてもきびしいひとだったが、いまではありがたいとおもっている。
My father was a very strict person, but now I'm grateful for it.
今年の採用条件は去年より厳しくなっています。
ことしのさいようじょうけんはきょねんよりきびしくなっています。
This year's hiring conditions are stricter than last year's.
厳しい練習に耐えて、ついに優勝した。
きびしいれんしゅうにたえて、ついにゆうしょうした。
After enduring harsh training, they finally won the championship.
Quick Quiz
Quick Quiz
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