stern
adjective/stɜːn/
/stɜːrn/
(comparative sterner, superlative sternest)
Idioms - serious and often showing that you do not approve of somebody/something; expecting somebody to obey you
严厉的；苛刻的；要求别人服从的 - a stern face/expression/look
严厉的面容／表情／目光 - a stern warning
严厉的警告 - Her voice was stern.
她声调严厉。 - The police are planning sterner measures to combat crime.
警方正制订更严厉的措施打击犯罪活动。
Extra Examples- He quickly became notorious for his stern management.
他很快就因其严厉的管理而臭名昭著。 - Her mother appeared, looking very stern.
她母亲露面了，看上去非常严厉。 - His voice was suddenly stern.
他的声音突然严厉起来。 - She always seemed to have the same stern expression on her face.
她的脸上似乎总是带着同样严肃的表情。 - There was a hint of a smile on his usually rather stern face.
一向严肃的脸上，露出了一丝笑意。
- a stern face/expression/look
- serious and difficult
严峻的；难对付的 - a stern test of nerves
对神经的严峻考验 - We face stern opposition.
我们遇到激烈的反对。
- a stern test of nerves
Word Originadjective Old English styrne, probably from the West Germanic base of the verb stare.
Idioms
be made of sterner stuff
- to have a stronger character and to be more determined in dealing with problems than other people
性格十分坚强；有很大的毅力 - Many would have given up, but Tim was made of sterner stuff.
很多人都会放弃，但蒂姆是个更坚强的人。
- Many would have given up, but Tim was made of sterner stuff.
