HSK 4 · Chinese hanzi

严

严 — strict

Reading
yán
Meaning
strict
HSK level
HSK 4
Language
Chinese

About this hanzi

严 is a chinese hanzi character commonly studied at the HSK 4 level. Its primary reading is yán and it means strict. To master it, see it in real Chinese content — import an article or YouTube video into InputDojo and every occurrence becomes a one-tap lookup.

严 appears in everyday chinese words such as 严 (strict, tight, severe), 严格 (strict, rigorous) and 严重 (serious, grave).

Chinese words containing 严

Frequently asked questions

What does 严 mean in Chinese?

严 means strict in Chinese. It is one of the HSK 4 hanzi every learner meets at that level.

How is 严 read?

严 is read yán. Reading it inside real words — 严 and 严格 and more — is the fastest way to remember it.

What level is 严 — is it HSK 4?

Yes. 严 is on the official HSK 4 hanzi list, so it can appear in that exam's reading and vocabulary sections.

How do you use 严 in a word?

A common word containing 严 is 严 (yán) — "strict, tight, severe". More examples are listed below, each with a one-tap dictionary entry.

How do I learn 严 effectively?

Read it in context. Import any Chinese article or video into InputDojo and every occurrence of 严 becomes a one-tap lookup with SRS flashcards, so you meet it in real sentences instead of a list.

More HSK 4 hanzi

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