厳(きび)しい

きびしい
adjective (i-adjective)
strict, severe
1. strict, severe, harsh
Describing someone who enforces rules strictly or something that is demanding and difficult.
うちの父(ちち)は厳(きび)しい人(ひと)です。
My father is a strict person.
先生(せんせい)は成績(せいせき)に厳(きび)しいです。
The teacher is strict about grades.
に marks what they are strict about
会社(かいしゃ)の規則(きそく)は厳(きび)しくて、遅刻(ちこく)したら罰金(ばっきん)を払(はら)わなければならない。
The company rules are strict—if you're late, you have to pay a fine.
試験(しけん)の採点(さいてん)は厳(きび)しい。
The grading on exams is strict.
自分(じぶん)に厳(きび)しくしている。
I'm being strict with myself.
2. hard, difficult (situation)
Describing challenging circumstances or conditions.
今年(ことし)の冬(ふゆ)は厳(きび)しいですね。
This winter is harsh, isn't it?
Describing severe weather
今(いま)の経済(けいざい)状況(じょうきょう)は厳(きび)しいので、節約(せつやく)が必要(ひつよう)だ。
The current economic situation is tough, so we need to economize.
就職(しゅうしょく)状況(じょうきょう)が厳(きび)しい。
The job market is tough.
競争(きょうそう)が厳(きび)しい業界(ぎょうかい)だ。
It's an industry with fierce competition.
資金(しきん)が厳(きび)しい状態(じょうたい)だ。
We're in a tight financial situation.

厳(きび)しい is an i-adjective meaning strict, severe, or harsh.

FORMS:

  • 厳(きび)しくない: not strict (negative)
  • 厳(きび)しくて: strict and... (te-form)
  • 厳(きび)しかった: was strict (past)
  • 厳(きび)しさ: strictness (noun form)

USAGE PATTERNS:
1. For people: 先生(せんせい)は厳(きび)しい (The teacher is strict)
2. For conditions: 状況(じょうきょう)が厳(きび)しい (The situation is tough)
3. With に: [topic]に厳(きび)しい (strict about ~)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 規則(きそく)が厳(きび)しい: strict rules
  • 競争(きょうそう)が厳(きび)しい: fierce competition
  • 冬(ふゆ)が厳(きび)しい: harsh winter
  • 自分(じぶん)に厳(きび)しい: hard on oneself

CONTRAST:
Opposite of 優(やさ)しい (gentle, lenient) when describing people.

core
Added 2026.1.7 21:57 · Revised 2026.3.5 22:22
01000/01125_kibishii