na-adjective, taru-adjective, adverb taking the 'to' particle
biting cold; piercing; severe; intense
Literary word describing bitterly cold weather or a piercing, severe atmosphere. Often used in written descriptions of winter scenes or harsh conditions. Can also describe a stern, intense demeanor.
A biting cold wind raged.
No one dared speak in the face of his severe demeanor.
Common word for 'severe' or 'strict'; 凛冽 is more literary and specifically evokes piercing cold or an intense, dignified severity.
Means 'gallant' or 'dignified'; 凛冽 focuses on coldness or severity rather than handsomeness or bravery.
Standard kanji form for this literary word.
Search-only form using the older 凜 variant of 凛.
Variant kanji form; 烈 emphasizes severity, while 冽 emphasizes coldness.
The exact derivation is uncertain. The kanji 凛 means 'cold' or 'dignified', and 冽 means 'cold' or 'piercing', together forming a compound that intensifies the sense of severe cold or sternness.