Translation guide
The English word "severity" refers to the degree of harshness, seriousness, or intensity of something. In Japanese, the best translation depends on what is being described: the seriousness of an illness or problem, the strictness of a rule or punishment, the harshness of conditions, or the intensity of pain. This guide organizes the most common uses for learners.
Expressing how serious or grave something is, such as a disease, crime, or mistake.
Used for the gravity or seriousness of a situation, problem, or issue. Often implies deep concern.
病気の深刻さを理解していなかった。
I didn't understand the severity of the illness.
問題の深刻さが明らかになった。
The severity of the problem became clear.
Specifically used in medical contexts for the severity of an illness or injury.
患者の重症度を評価する。
Assess the severity of the patient's condition.
Emphasizes the importance or magnitude of a matter, often used in formal contexts.
Describing how severe, strict, or harsh a rule, penalty, or person's attitude is.
General term for strictness, harshness, or severity. Can be used for rules, punishments, people, or conditions.
罰則の厳しさが犯罪抑止につながる。
The severity of the punishment deters crime.
先生の厳しさは愛情の裏返しだ。
The teacher's severity is a reflection of their care.
Implies excessive harshness or cruelty, often used for conditions or treatment.
刑務所の過酷さが問題になった。
The severity of the prison conditions became an issue.
Describing how intense or extreme something like pain, a storm, or cold is.
Used for intensity, violence, or severity of natural phenomena, pain, or emotions.
痛みの激しさに耐えられなかった。
I couldn't bear the severity of the pain.
台風の激しさが増している。
The severity of the typhoon is increasing.
More general word for strength or intensity; can be used for severity in some contexts like wind or earthquakes.
地震の強さはマグニチュード7だった。
The severity of the earthquake was magnitude 7.
Used in technical or formal contexts to indicate the degree or level of something like damage, risk, or a condition.
Means 'degree' or 'extent'. Often used with adjectives like 深刻な (serious) to express severity.
被害の程度を調査する。
Investigate the severity of the damage.
Prefix meaning 'severe' or 'serious', used in compounds like 重度障害 (severe disability).
These three words cover most uses of 'severity' but are not interchangeable. 深刻さ is for abstract seriousness (problems, situations). 厳しさ is for strictness or harshness (rules, people). 激しさ is for physical intensity (pain, weather). Choose based on what is being described.
The loanword シビア (shibia) from 'severe' is used in Japanese but often means 'strict' or 'tough' in a narrow sense (e.g., シビアな条件, tough conditions). It does not cover all meanings of 'severity' and can sound unnatural if overused.
We should recognize the severity of this incident.
Suffered severe burns.