厳しい

きびしい

hard; rigorous; strict

Also:hard (to do), intense (e.g. cold)

AdjectiveJLPT N4

What does 厳しい mean?

厳しい is a Japanese adjective meaning hard; rigorous; strict in English. It can also be translated as hard (to do), intense (e.g. cold) depending on context. It is written as 厳しい in kanji, きびしい in hiragana, and kibishii in romaji. This word is part of JLPT N4 vocabulary.

Example sentences

彼は厳しい批判にさらされた。

He was subjected to severe criticism.

練習がどんなに厳しくても、彼女は決して泣かなかった。

However hard the training was, she never cried.