Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Strict, severe: Describes a person, rule, or attitude that demands exact obedience and is not lenient.
   • Stern, grave: Describes a serious, unsmiling, and solemn facial expression or demeanor.
   • Rigorous, tight: Describes something executed with precision, discipline, and without laxity.

2. Interjection:

   • Attention!: A military-style command meaning "stand at attention," used to order a group to stand in a formal, upright, and motionless posture.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Kỷ luật ở đây rất nghiêm. (The discipline here is very strict.)
  • Ông ấy có vẻ mặt nghiêm nghị. (He has a very stern expression.)
  • Nhà trường áp dụng các quy định nghiêm ngặt. (The school applies rigorous regulations.)

• Interjection:

  • Chỉ huy hô: "Nghiêm!" (The commander shouted: "Attention!")

Advanced Usage

• "nghiêm chỉnh": Seriously, properly, in a correct and earnest manner.
  • Anh ta nghiêm chỉnh chấp hành mệnh lệnh. (He properly carried out the order.)
• "nghiêm túc": Serious, earnest. Often describes a person's attitude or a situation.
  • Cần có thái độ nghiêm túc trong công việc. (One needs a serious attitude at work.)
• "nghiêm trọng": Serious, grave, severe. Describes a problematic or dangerous situation.
  • Tình hình sức khỏe của bệnh nhân rất nghiêm trọng. (The patient's health condition is very grave.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nghiêm khắc (adj): Strict, harsh, severe. Emphasizes unforgiving strictness.
  • Người cha nghiêm khắc. (A strict father.)
• Nghiêm minh (adj): Just and strict, impartial and severe (often used for laws or judgments).
  • Pháp luật nghiêm minh. (Impartial and strict laws.)
• Nghiêm cấm (v): To strictly prohibit, to forbid.
  • Nghiêm cấm hút thuốc. (Smoking is strictly prohibited.)

Synonyms

• Chặt chẽ: Tight, strict, rigorous.
• Nghiêm nghị: Stern, solemn, grave (often for appearance).
• Khắt khe: Stringent, demanding, harsh.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Giữ nghiêm: To maintain strict discipline/order.
  • Giữ nghiêm kỷ luật. (To maintain strict discipline.)
• Xử nghiêm: To deal with/punish severely.
  • Xử nghiêm những kẻ vi phạm. (To punish violators severely.)

Related Idioms

• Mặt nặng mày nhẹ / Mặt lạnh như tiền: (Idioms describing a stern, cold, or unsmiling face, similar to a "grave" expression implied by .)
  • Sếp bước vào với khuôn mặt lạnh như tiền. (The boss walked in with a stern, stone-cold face.)

adj

1. strict; grave; stern