严酷

Traditional form:

嚴酷

Pinyin (reading):

yánkù

Definitions:

• bitter
• harsh
• grim
• ruthless
• severe
• cut-throat (competition)

Characters:

• 严 - strict, rigorous, rigid; stern
• 酷 - strong, stimulating; ruthless, intense

Traditional characters:

• 嚴 - strict, rigorous, rigid; stern
• 酷 - strong, stimulating; ruthless, intense