Meaning
The N1 kanji 厳 (gen) encompasses a rich array of meanings related to strictness, severity, solemnity, and magnificence. It fundamentally conveys an unyielding, firm, and often imposing quality. This kanji can describe a harsh condition, a rigorous rule, a solemn atmosphere, or a majestic appearance. When you encounter 厳, think of something that demands respect or adherence. It might also evoke a sense of awe due to its seriousness or grandeur.
Etymologically, 厳 is a 形声文字 (keisei moji), a phono-semantic character, composed of a semantic radical and a phonetic component. The radical 厂 (がんだれ, gan-dare) means 'cliff' or 'precipice,' suggesting something vast, towering, or unyielding, much like a natural barrier. The phonetic component is 敢 (かん, kan), meaning 'to dare,' 'to be brave,' 'to be resolute,' or 'to be strict/severe.' Combining these elements creates the image of an imposing cliff that 'dares' or 'commands' respect, signifying something inherently strict, severe, or solemn. Thus, the visual shape directly connects to its core meanings: the sheer, unyielding face of a cliff (厂) combined with a resolute and daring attitude (敢) powerfully conveys 'strictness' or 'majesty.'
This kanji consists of 17 strokes, reflecting its complex structure. Although a Joyo Kanji, 厳 isn't assigned a specific elementary school grade. Instead, it typically appears in secondary school or advanced Japanese language curricula, fitting perfectly within the JLPT N1 scope. Its complexity in form matches its nuanced and powerful meanings.
Readings
To use 厳 correctly, understanding its readings is essential. Like many kanji, 厳 possesses both On'yomi (Chinese-derived readings) and Kun'yomi (native Japanese readings), each used in distinct contexts.
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The On'yomi for 厳 are primarily used when the kanji forms part of a compound word. The dominant reading is ゲン (gen).
ゲン (gen): This is the most common On'yomi for 厳, expressing strictness, severity, seriousness, or profundity.
厳格 (genkaku) — strict; rigid; rigorous (e.g., 厳格な先生 - a strict teacher)
厳重 (genjū) — strict; severe; stringent; tight (e.g., 厳重な警備 - tight security)
厳禁 (genkin) — strictly prohibited; absolutely forbidden (e.g., 立入厳禁 - No Entry)
ゴン (gon): This On'yomi is exceedingly rare in modern Japanese. You'll generally only encounter it in specific, often archaic, historical, or proper nouns. For practical JLPT N1 study, focusing on ゲン will suffice in almost all cases.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
Kun'yomi are native Japanese readings, often used when the kanji stands alone or is part of an adjective or verb, accompanied by okurigana (送り仮名).
きび.しい (kibi.shii): This is the most frequently encountered Kun'yomi, forming the adjective 厳しい, meaning 'strict,' 'severe,' 'harsh,' or 'tough.'
厳しい (kibishii) — strict, severe, harsh, tough (e.g., 厳しい冬 - a harsh winter)
厳しさ (kibishisa) — strictness, severity (e.g., 勝負の厳しさ - the severity of competition)
おごそ.か (ogoso.ka): This Kun'yomi forms the adjective/adverbial noun 厳か, meaning 'solemn,' 'majestic,' or 'awe-inspiring.'
厳か (ogosoka) — solemn, majestic, austere (e.g., 厳かな儀式 - a solemn ceremony)
厳かに (ogosoka ni) — solemnly, majestically (e.g., 厳かに行われる - to be held solemnly)
Common Words & Compounds
Here's a selection of essential compound words and phrases using 厳, categorized to help you understand their usage better.
General Strictness & Severity
厳格 (genkaku) — strict, rigid, rigorous (e.g., 厳格な基準 - strict standards)
厳重 (genjū) — strict, severe, stringent, tight (e.g., 厳重な警備 - tight security)
厳罰 (genbatsu) — severe punishment (e.g., 厳罰を科す - to impose a severe penalty)
厳寒 (genkan) — severe cold, intense winter (e.g., 厳寒の地 - a region of severe cold)
Solemnity & Majesty
厳粛 (genshuku) — solemn, grave, austere (e.g., 厳粛な雰囲気 - a solemn atmosphere)
厳か (ogosoka) — solemn, majestic, austere (e.g., 厳かな儀式 - a solemn ceremony)
Actions & Processes
厳守 (genshu) — strict observance, strict adherence (e.g., 期限を厳守する - to strictly observe the deadline)
厳禁 (genkin) — strict prohibition, absolutely forbidden (e.g., 立入厳禁 - No Entry)
厳選 (gensen) — careful selection, rigorous screening (e.g., 厳選された食材 - carefully selected ingredients)
厳戒 (genkai) — strict vigilance, alert (e.g., 厳戒態勢 - a state of high alert)
Adjectives & Adverbs
厳しい (kibishii) — strict, severe, harsh, tough (e.g., 厳しい冬 - a harsh winter)
厳しく (kibishiku) — strictly, severely, harshly (e.g., 厳しく指導する - to guide strictly)
Example Sentences
私達の先生は試験に厳しいですが、それも私たちのために思ってのことです。
Watashitachi no sensei wa shiken ni kibishii desu ga, sore mo watashitachi no tame ni omotte no koto desu.
Our teacher is strict about exams, but it's for our own good.
入場口では手荷物チェックが厳重に行われている。
Nyūjōguchi de wa tenimotsu chekku ga genjū ni okonawareteiru.
Baggage checks are being carried out strictly at the entrance.
その教会では、厳かな雰囲気の中で結婚式が執り行われた。
Sono kyōkai de wa, ogosokana fun'iki no naka de kekkonshiki ga toriokonawareta.
The wedding ceremony was held in a solemn atmosphere at that church.
法律の厳守は、社会の秩序を保つために不可欠だ。
Hōritsu no genshu wa, shakai no chitsujo wo tamotsu tame ni fukaketsu da.
Strict observance of laws is essential to maintain social order.
この地域は冬になると厳寒の気候になり、雪が多く降る。
Kono chiiki wa fuyu ni naru to genkan no kikō ni nari, yuki ga ooku furu.
This region experiences a severe cold climate in winter, with heavy snowfall.
その会社では、品質について非常に厳格な基準を設けている。
Sono kaisha de wa, hinshitsu ni tsuite hijō ni genkaku na kijun wo mōketeiru.
That company has established extremely strict standards for quality.
彼は自分に厳しい人で、常に完璧を目指している。
Kare wa jibun ni kibishii hito de, tsune ni kanpeki wo mezashiteiru.
He is a strict person with himself, always aiming for perfection.
博物館での写真撮影は厳禁です。
Hakubutsukan de no shashin satsuei wa genkin desu.
Photography is strictly prohibited in the museum.
会議は厳粛な雰囲気の中で行われ、全員が真剣に耳を傾けた。
Kaigi wa genshukuna fun'iki no naka de okonaware, zen'in ga shinken ni mimi wo katamuketa.
The meeting was held in a solemn atmosphere, and everyone listened intently.
Memory Tip
To help remember 厳, break it down into its components: the radical 厂 (がんだれ), meaning 'cliff' or 'precipice,' and the phonetic component 敢 (かん), meaning 'to dare,' 'to be bold,' or 'to be resolute/strict.' Imagine a strict sensei (先生) standing majestically on a towering cliff (厂), daring students to challenge (敢) the rigorous standards of excellence. This imagery evokes the severity and strictness that the kanji represents.
Alternatively, picture a magnificent and solemn temple built directly into a cliff face (厂), inspiring awe and demanding a daring reverence (敢) from all who approach it. This helps connect to the 'solemn' and 'majestic' meanings. The 'dare' can also be seen as the resolve to be 'strict' or to face 'severity.'