strict / severe
N2- Onyomi
- ゲン
- Kunyomi
- きび(しい)
- Stroke count
- 17
- JLPT
- N2
Onyomi are readings often used in compound words. Kunyomi are native Japanese readings. Learn each reading with an example word.
Memory tip
Break 厳 down and you get ⺍ (small) — three tiny strokes tucked into the top corner, barely there at all. Picture an open ledger book ruled into counted columns, put 厳 inside it, and let that scene stand for "strict" — strict / severe. The odder the picture, the better it sticks.
Stroke Order
Stroke count: 17
General writing tips
These general rules have exceptions. Follow the animation and numbered frames for this character.
- •上から下へ書きます。Write from top to bottom.
- •左から右へ書きます。Write from left to right.
- •横の画を先に、縦の画を後に書きます。Write horizontal strokes before the vertical strokes that cross them.
- •外側の囲みを先に書き、中を後で書きます。Draw an outer enclosure first, then fill in what is inside.
- •中央を先に、左右を後に書きます。In symmetric shapes, write the centre before the left and right sides.
- •この漢字は17画です。下の練習エリアで順番に書いてみましょう。This kanji has 17 strokes — trace them in order in the practice area below.
Step by step
Practice Writing
Free writing practice — compare your writing with the example. This canvas does not check your shape or stroke order. Draw with a mouse, finger, or pen; scroll outside the square to move down the page.
Trace the faded character, or hide the outline to practise from memory.
Writing Tips
- Follow the order strictly: top-to-bottom and left-to-right. Correct order makes the shape balanced and natural.
- Keep each stroke in one smooth motion — don't lift the pen in the middle of a stroke.
- Close enclosing strokes cleanly so the character does not look open or broken.
- Common mistake: drawing strokes bottom-to-top or right-to-left. Even if the result looks similar, the wrong order shows in handwriting and makes it harder to read.
Example words
厳か
ogosoka
solemn
厳しい
kibishii
strict
厳かな
ogosokana
attributive: solemn (before a noun)
厳かです
ogosokadesu
polite: is solemn
厳しいです
kibishiidesu
polite: is strict
厳しくないです
kibishikunaidesu
polite negative: is not strict
Example sentences (4)
この会社は時間に厳しいです。
この かいしゃ は じかん に きびしい です。
kono kaisha wa jikan ni kibishii desu.
This company is strict about time.
先生は厳しいですが、教え方はとても分かりやすいです。
せんせい は きびしい です が、おしえかた は とても わかりやすい です。
sensei wa kibishii desu ga, oshiekata wa totemo wakariyasui desu.
The teacher is strict, but the way they teach is very easy to follow.
納期が厳しいからといって、安全性で妥協するわけにはいきません。
のうき が きびしい から と いって、あんぜんせい で だきょう する わけ に は いきません。
nouki ga kibishii kara to itte, anzensei de dakyou suru wake ni wa ikimasen.
Just because the deadline is tight, we cannot compromise on safety.
規制が厳しくなるほど、手続きに時間がかかります。
きせい が きびしく なる ほど、てつづき に じかん が かかります。
kisei ga kibishiku naru hodo, tetsuzuki ni jikan ga kakarimasu.
The stricter the regulations become, the longer the procedures take.