Kanji 厳 stern, strictness, severity 然 sort of thing, so, if so 儼 serious, untouched, solemnly Related words 厳おごそ か 厳か emphasizes a quiet, dignified solemnity, often of ceremonies or atmospheres, while 厳然 stresses an imposing, unyielding authority or factuality.
厳きび しい 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.
Written forms 厳げん 然ぜん Usage 99%
Standard kanji spelling; used in news and formal writing.
儼げん 然ぜん Usage 1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; learners should recognize but not produce.
Etymology 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.
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