How to say "strict" in Japanese

• 厳しいきびしいJLPT N4approx.Common
  i-adjectiveThe broadest of these: strictness that is demanding and unsparing, as of a strict parent, teacher, rules, or training. It also serves for 'severe'.
  彼かれは厳きびしい批判ひはんにさらされた。↗

  He was subjected to severe criticism.
• 厳密げんみつJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjectiveStrict in the sense of exact and precise rather than stern: a strict definition, interpretation, or meaning. Also used for 'strictly speaking'.
  厳密げんみつな科学的かがくてき観点かんてんからは、歴史れきしは科学かがくとはいえない。↗

  From a strictly scientific point of view, history cannot be called a science.
• 厳重げんじゅうJLPT N2approx.Common
  na-adjective, nounStrict as in stringent: used chiefly of measures, checks, and supervision rather than of a person's character, as in strict security or strict precautions.
  トップエンジニアが、その車くるまに一連いちれんの厳重げんじゅうな検査けんさを加くわえた。↗

  The top engineer put the car through a series of rigorous tests.
• 厳格げんかくCommon
  na-adjective, nounStrict of persons and conduct in a stern, formal, unbending way: a strict father, a strict upbringing, strict observance of the rules. The emphasis is on rigid discipline.
  彼かれらは時間じかんに関かんしては厳格げんかくな考え方かんがえかたをしている。↗

  They have a strict idea of time.
• シビアCommon
  na-adjectiveA loanword for strict in the sense of tough and unforgiving: strict standards, criteria, or judgments that allow no slack. Often of evaluations, schedules, or conditions.

Choose 「厳しい」 for strictness of people, rules, and demands in general; 厳密 for strictness as precision, 厳重 for stringent measures such as security, 厳格 for stern, formal personal strictness, and 「シビア」 for tough, unforgiving standards.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 厳しいきびしいsevere
• 厳密げんみつstrict
• 厳重げんじゅうstrict
• 厳格げんかくstrict
• シビアsevere
• 厳正げんせいstrict
• 堅苦しいかたくるしいformal
• 酷こくsevere
• 手厳しいてきびしいharsh (criticism, treatment, etc.)
• 厳げんstrict
• 物々しいものものしいstrict (e.g. security)
• 峻厳しゅんげんstrict
• 杓子定規しゃくしじょうぎstrict
• お堅いおかたいstrict
• 注文が多いちゅうもんがおおいdemanding
• 注文の多いちゅうもんのおおいdemanding
• かたっくるしいformal
• 手強いてづよいstrong
• スパルタ式スパルタしきSpartan
• 辛いからいharsh (criticism)
• やかましいstrict
• 窮屈きゅうくつformal
• 厳粛げんしゅくharsh (e.g. truth)
• スクエアformal
• ストイックself-disciplined
• いかめしいstrict (e.g. security)
• 辛めからめstrict
• うざったいstrict
• スパルタstrict