jim4 gaak3嚴格严格
Jyutpingjim4 gaak3
Yaleyìhm gaak
Definition
Strict, rigorous, or tight in standards or enforcement.
neutralpeopleschool
How it's used
Applying this word to people often implies a high standard of discipline or rigid expectations. It is frequently used in professional or educational settings to describe rules, standards, or a person's management style. Unlike some other adjectives, it does not typically take a particle like 嘅 when modifying a noun directly in casual speech, though it functions perfectly well as a predicate.
Examples
He is very strict with his children and doesn't allow them to watch much TV.
Do you think this teacher's grading is too strict?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse this with 嚴肅, which describes a serious or stern facial expression or atmosphere rather than the strictness of rules or expectations.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
