正言厉色 — “To speak with stern words and a severe, unyielding expression”
正言厉色 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to speak with stern words and a severe, unyielding expression”. To be very serious and unsmiling in speech and manner. Literally, “Stern words, severe expression”.
Frequency
正言厉色 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- 正zhèng
- 言yán
- 厉lì
- 色sè
正言厉色 Character Breakdown
Example Sentence with 正言厉色
面对孩子不负责任的行为，母亲正言厉色地指出他的错误。
Facing her child's irresponsible behavior, the mother, with stern words and a severe expression, pointed out his mistakes.
Origin and Story of 正言厉色
Jia Baoyu went to visit Lin Daiyu and found her asleep.
He tried to wake her up, but Daiyu deliberately ignored him.
Baoyu suddenly had an idea. He began to tell her, with stern words and a severe expression, a story about a rat spirit from Linzi Cave in Daishan, Yangzhou, who stole taro.
Seeing his stern look and serious tone, Daiyu thought it was a true story, only to realize later that he was merely making fun of her.
Idioms Related to 正言厉色
More idioms starting with 正
- zhèng正zhòng中xià下huái怀exactly what one wants
- zhèng正zhōng中qí其huái怀exactly to one's liking
- zhèng正zhòng中jǐ己huái怀exactly what one desires
- zhèng正yì义lǐn凛rán然Righteous and awe-inspiring
- zhèng正rén人xiān先zhèng正jǐ己To set others right, first set oneself right
- zhèng正rén人jūn君zi子a hypocritical gentleman
- zhèng正ér儿bā八jīng经proper, earnest, and serious
- zhèng正ér儿bā巴jīng经serious and earnest
- zhèng正qí其yì谊bù不móu谋qí其lì利uphold righteousness, not seek gain
- zhèng正guàn冠lǐ李xià下avoid suspicion
- zhèng正guàn冠nà纳lǚ履avoid suspicion in sensitive situations
- zhèng正míng名dìng定fēn分rectify names and define status
Questions about 正言厉色
- What does 正言厉色 mean?
- 正言厉色 (zhèng yán lì sè) is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to speak with stern words and a severe, unyielding expression”.
- How do you pronounce 正言厉色?
- 正言厉色 is pronounced zhèng yán lì sè in Mandarin Chinese.
- What does 正言厉色 literally mean?
- Literally, 正言厉色 means “Stern words, severe expression”. It is used to mean “to speak with stern words and a severe, unyielding expression”.
- Where does 正言厉色 come from?
- 正言厉色 comes from a classical Chinese story dating back to the modern era. The full story is on this page.
- What is the Chinese definition of 正言厉色?
- 正：严正；厉：严厉，严肃；色：脸色。形容板着脸，神情非常严厉。