正言厉色 zhèng yán lì sè

solemn in word and countenance (idiom); strict and unsmiling

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. solemn in word and countenance (idiom); strict and unsmiling
  2. 2. also written 正顏厲色zhèng yán lì sè

Characters

Character Meaning
正 zhèng HSK 2
exactly; just (at that time); right (in that place)
言 yán HSK 4
to say; to talk; speech
厉 lì HSK 4
severe; strict; surname Li
色 sè HSK 2
color; sex; appearance