严峻 (yánjùn) — severe; grim; stern

严峻 (yánjùn)

严峻 describes situations, conditions, or expressions that are severe, grim, or daunting, often used when discussing challenging circumstances that require serious attention.

Meanings

1. [adjective] severe; grim; daunting (describing a difficult situation or challenge)
2. [adjective] stern; grave (describing a serious expression or demeanor)

Example Sentences

当前全球经济面临严峻挑战，各国政府纷纷采取应对措施。 Dāngqián quánqiú jīngjì miànlín yánjùn tiǎozhàn, gè guó zhèngfǔ fēnfēn cǎiqǔ yìngduì cuòshī. The global economy currently faces severe challenges, and governments around the world are taking countermeasures.

形势十分严峻，我们必须立即采取行动，否则后果不堪设想。 Xíngshì shífēn yánjùn, wǒmen bìxū lìjí cǎiqǔ xíngdòng, fǒuzé hòuguǒ bùkān shèxiǎng. The situation is extremely grim; we must take immediate action, or the consequences will be unimaginable.

面对严峻的就业形势，许多大学生选择继续深造。 Miànduì yánjùn de jiùyè xíngshì, xǔduō dàxuéshēng xuǎnzé jìxù shēnzào. Faced with a grim employment situation, many college students choose to continue their studies.

他表情严峻地宣布了公司重组的决定，现场气氛顿时凝重起来。 Tā biǎoqíng yánjùn de xuānbùle gōngsī chóngzǔ de juédìng, xiànchǎng qìfēn dùnshí níngzhòng qǐlái. He announced the company's restructuring decision with a stern expression, and the atmosphere became heavy at once.

气候变化带来的严峻现实，促使各国加快推进绿色转型。 Qìhòu biànhuà dàilái de yánjùn xiànshí, cùshǐ gè guó jiākuài tuījìn lǜsè zhuǎnxíng. The grim reality brought by climate change is driving countries to accelerate green transitions.

疫情期间，医疗系统承受着严峻的压力，医护人员日夜奋战。 Yìqíng qījiān, yīliáo xìtǒng chéngshòuzhe yánjùn de yālì, yīhù rényuán rìyè fènzhàn. During the epidemic, the medical system was under severe pressure, and healthcare workers fought day and night.

Collocations

Usage Notes

严峻 is a formal adjective most commonly found in written Chinese, news media, and official discourse. It typically describes objective situations that are difficult or dangerous, such as economic conditions, security threats, or public health crises. It can also describe a person's facial expression or demeanor when they appear very serious or stern.

严峻 is stronger and more formal than 严重 (serious), which can describe everyday problems. 严峻 implies a sense of gravity and urgency, suggesting the situation demands a serious and immediate response.

Memory Hook

严 means "strict/severe" and 峻 means "steep/lofty" (like a steep mountain). A grim situation is like a steep, difficult mountain you must climb — 严峻.