正言厲色 zhèng yán lì sè

DEFINITIONS

  1. solemn in word and countenance (idiom); strict and unsmiling
  2. also written 正顏厲色|正颜厉色

CHARACTERS

正 zhèng
HSK 2
right, proper, correct
言 yán
HSK 4
words, speech; speak, say
厲 lì whetstone; grind, sharpen; whet
色 sè
HSK 2
color, tint, hue, shade; form, body; beauty, desire for beauty