taru-adjective, adverb taking the 'to' particle
grave; solemn; stern; authoritative; hard (fact)
Describes a dignified, imposing, or unyielding quality, often of a person's demeanor, a statement, or an established fact. Used in formal or literary contexts.
The presiding judge read out the verdict with a solemn demeanor.
That is a hard fact that no one can deny.
厳しい is a common adjective for 'strict' or 'severe' in everyday contexts; 厳然 is more formal and literary, describing an inherent gravity rather than active strictness.
Standard kanji spelling; used in news and formal writing.
Rarely used kanji form; learners should recognize but not produce.
Compound of 厳 (gen, 'strict, grave') and 然 (zen, a suffix forming adjectives/adverbs meaning 'in the manner of'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the word has been used in formal Japanese to express solemn authority.