严 from HSK Level 4 Vocabulary List

The Chinese character 严 (yán) is composed of two parts: the radical 宀 (miàn), which represents a roof or shelter, and the phonetic component 奄 (yǎn), which is related to the idea of covering or enclosing. Together, these components suggest the meaning of "strict" or "severe," as in the sense of being tightly covered or enclosed.The character 严 has a long history in Chinese culture and has been used in a variety of contexts. In ancient times, it was often used to describe the strict rules and regulations that governed society. For example, the phrase 严刑峻法 (yán xíng jùn fǎ) refers to the harsh punishments that were used to enforce these rules.In modern Chinese, 严 is still used to convey the idea of strictness or severity. For example, the phrase 严厉 (yán lì) means "strict" or "severe," and the phrase 严禁 (yán jìn) means "strictly forbidden." The character can also be used in a more general sense to refer to something that is serious or important. For example, the phrase 严肃 (yán sù) means "serious" or "solemn."Overall, the character 严 is a versatile and important character in Chinese that has a rich history and a wide range of meanings.