Translation guide
The English word "severe" covers a range of meanings from strictness and harshness to intensity and seriousness. This guide breaks down the main uses and provides natural Japanese equivalents for each.
Describing a person, rule, punishment, or treatment that is very strict, harsh, or unkind.
The most common and versatile word for 'strict' or 'harsh'. Can be used for people, rules, discipline, and conditions.
彼は生徒に厳しい。
He is strict with his students.
その会社は規則が厳しい。
That company has strict rules.
Emphasizes strictness in a formal, often legal or moral sense. Used for rules, standards, or upbringing.
彼は厳格な父親だ。
He is a strict father.
Means 'harsh' or 'cruel', often implying excessive severity. Used for punishments or treatment.
過酷な刑罰が科された。
A severe punishment was imposed.
Describing something that is very intense, extreme, or serious in degree, such as pain, weather, or conditions.
Used for intense, violent, or extreme phenomena: pain, rain, wind, competition, emotions.
激しい痛みが走った。
A severe pain shot through me.
激しい雨が降っている。
It's raining heavily (severe rain).
Also used for harsh conditions, like severe cold or a tough situation. Overlaps with 'strict' but context clarifies.
Means 'serious' or 'grave', often used for problems, situations, or damage. Closer to 'severe' in the sense of seriousness.
深刻な被害が出た。
Severe damage occurred.
Describing a situation, problem, or condition that is very serious, critical, or grave.
The standard word for 'serious' or 'severe' when referring to problems, crises, or illnesses.
事態は深刻だ。
The situation is severe.
彼は深刻な病気にかかっている。
He is suffering from a severe illness.
Means 'grave' or 'serious', often used for consequences, decisions, or mistakes.
重大な結果を招く。
It will lead to severe consequences.
Used specifically for severe disabilities or medical conditions (e.g., severe depression, severe impairment).
重度の障害がある。
He has a severe disability.
Describing a style that is very plain, without decoration, often in a way that is austere or stern.
Means 'simple' or 'plain', often with a positive connotation of austerity or lack of luxury.
彼は質素な服装をしている。
He wears severe, plain clothes.
Means 'plain' or 'sober', often used for colors or designs that are not flashy. Can imply 'severe' in the sense of lacking adornment.
地味なデザインの建物だ。
It's a building with a severe design.
These three words cover most uses of 'severe', but they are not interchangeable. 厳しい (kibishii) is for strictness or harsh conditions; 激しい (hageshii) is for intensity or violence of natural phenomena or emotions; 深刻 (shinkoku) is for seriousness of problems or situations.
While 厳しい can describe harsh conditions, it is not natural for physical pain. Use 激しい (hageshii) for severe pain.
裁判官は彼に厳しい判決を下した。
The judge gave him a severe sentence.
深刻な水不足に直面している。
We are facing a severe shortage of water.
今年の冬は厳しい寒さだ。
This winter has severe cold.