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.
He is strict with his students.
That company has strict rules.
Emphasizes strictness in a formal, often legal or moral sense. Used for rules, standards, or upbringing.
He is a strict father.
Means 'harsh' or 'cruel', often implying excessive severity. Used for punishments or treatment.
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.
A severe pain shot through me.
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.
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.
The situation is severe.
He is suffering from a severe illness.
Means 'grave' or 'serious', often used for consequences, decisions, or mistakes.
It will lead to severe consequences.
Used specifically for severe disabilities or medical conditions (e.g., severe depression, severe impairment).
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.
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.
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.
The judge gave him a severe sentence.
We are facing a severe shortage of water.
It's raining heavily (severe rain).
今年の冬は厳しい寒さだ。
This winter has severe cold.