厉害

lìhai

HSK 4

厉害 — lìhai

1. amazing; awesome (used to praise someone's ability or something impressive)

   他唱歌很厉害。 tā chànggē hěn lìhài — He sings amazingly.

2. terrible; severe; intense (used for bad situations, injuries, weather, etc.)

   那次车祸造成了很厉害的伤害。 nàcì chēhuò zàochéng le hěn lìhài de shānghài — That car accident caused very severe injuries.

3. stern; strict; harsh (describing a person's attitude or rules)

   老师对迟到的学生很厉害。 lǎoshī duì chídào de xuéshēng hěn lìhài — The teacher is very strict with students who are late.

4. fierce; ferocious (describing an animal or a fierce resemblance)

   那只狗看起来很厉害，不敢靠近。 nà zhǐ gǒu kànqǐlái hěn lìhài bùgǎn kàojìn — That dog looks fierce; I don't dare get close.

5. strong; potent (describing liquor, spicy food, medicine, or bacteria)

   这酒很厉害，喝多了会头晕。 zhè jiǔ hěn lìhài hē duō le huì tóuyūn — This liquor is strong; drinking too much will make you dizzy.

6. shrewd; formidable; tough (describing a person who is capable, sharp or difficult to deal with)

   他办事很厉害，公司里没人能难倒他。 tā bànshì hěn lìhài gōngsī lǐ méirén néng nándǎo tā — He's very capable; nobody at the company can stump him.