1Severe or strict; describing rules, attitudes, or people that are rigid and uncompromising.
あの先生は遅刻に厳しい。
That teacher is strict about being late.
うちの会社は服装規定が厳しい。
Our company has strict dress code rules.
母は礼儀作法に厳しい人だった。
My mother was a person who was strict about manners.
2Difficult to accomplish; tough or demanding.
この予算でホテルを予約するのは厳しい。
Booking a hotel within this budget is going to be tough.
締め切りまであと二日、正直厳しい状況だ。
With only two days left until the deadline, it's honestly a tough situation.
今年の試験は例年より厳しいと言われている。
This year's exam is said to be harder than usual.
3Intense or harsh, describing extreme weather or conditions that are hard to endure.
北海道の冬の寒さは厳しい。
The winter cold in Hokkaido is severe.
今年の夏は例年になく厳しい暑さだった。
This summer's heat was harsher than any other year.
登山隊は厳しい気象条件の中で登頂を目指した。
The climbing team aimed for the summit under harsh weather conditions.