厳格な（げんかくな、genkakuna）
- strict

The Japanese word 厳格な (げんかくな) means "strict," "rigorous," "severe," or "stern." It describes something or someone that adheres to rules or standards very strictly, or that is firm and unyielding in their behavior or judgments. It implies a high degree of precision, control, and lack of leniency. The word can be used to describe rules, people, environments, and even abstract concepts like systems. 厳格な indicates an expectation of obedience and conformity.

⚫︎ 厳格な校則 Translation: Strict school rules ⚫︎ 厳格な審査基準 Translation: Rigorous evaluation criteria ⚫︎ 厳格な父親 Translation: A stern father

You use 厳格な to describe something or someone that is very strict or demanding. It's appropriate in situations where precision, adherence to rules, or severity is emphasized. You might use it when talking about a teacher who is very demanding, a company with high standards, or a set of very precise instructions. It is generally used in formal contexts.

厳格な is written with the kanji 厳 (げん, meaning "strict" or "severe"), 格 (かく, meaning "status" or "standard"), and the adjectival suffix な (na). The reading is げんかくな. There are no other ways to write this word. The okurigana is fixed.

⚫︎ 厳しい (きびしい): Strict, severe, harsh ⚫︎ きつい (きつい): Tight, strict, demanding ⚫︎ 厳密な (げんみつな): Precise, strict, rigorous ⚫︎ 峻厳な (しゅんげんな): Stern, severe ⚫︎ 手厳しい (てきびしい): Severe, harsh

⚫︎ 寛大な (かんだいな): Generous, lenient ⚫︎ 甘い (あまい): Sweet, lenient, permissive ⚫︎ 緩い (ゆるい): Loose, lax ⚫︎ 大らかな (おおらかな): Relaxed, easygoing

彼の厳格な両親は、門限に非常にうるさい。 ・Translation: His strict parents are very particular about the curfew. ・Explanation: The sentence describes parents who enforce rules strictly regarding a curfew.

その会社は品質管理に厳格な基準を設けている。 ・Translation: That company has established strict standards for quality control. ・Explanation: The sentence highlights the company's commitment to rigorous quality control measures.

The word 厳格な is a combination of two kanji: 厳 (げん) and 格 (かく). 厳 on its own conveys the meaning of sternness and severity. 格 signifies a standard or rule. The combination thus emphasizes strict adherence to established rules or standards. The な suffix turns the word into an adjective.