苛刻 refers to conditions or attitudes that are unreasonably demanding or harsh.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used for excessively high or unreasonable standards.
- Describes harsh or unforgiving treatment of others.
- Often implies a lack of flexibility or empathy.
1) 概述：苛刻（kēkè）是一个形容词，常用于表达某事物的标准极高、难以达成，或者某人的态度非常严厉、不近人情。它带有明显的负面评价色彩，暗示对方缺乏包容或灵活性。
2) 用法模式：该词常作定语修饰名词（如“苛刻的条件”、“苛刻的要求”），也可作谓语或补语（如“他对下属的要求过于苛刻”）。它常与表示程度的副词连用，如“非常”、“十分”、“过于”。
3) 常见语境：在职场中，常指老板或客户提出的难以完成的任务；在人际交往中，指对他人挑剔；在法律或合同中，指条款极其严厉，对一方不利。
4) 近义词辨析：与“严厉”相比，“苛刻”更强调“过分、不合理”的意味，而“严厉”可能仅仅指严肃或规矩严格；与“刻薄”相比，“苛刻”多用于条件或标准，“刻薄”则更多指向人格或语言上的尖酸。
Examples
老板给出的业绩目标太苛刻了。
everydayThe performance target set by the boss is too harsh.
合同中包含了许多苛刻的条款。
formalThe contract contains many harsh clauses.
别对我那么苛刻，我已经尽力了。
informalDon't be so hard on me; I've done my best.
该地区环境苛刻，不利于植物生长。
academicThe environment in this region is harsh and unfavorable for plant growth.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
条件苛刻
Harsh conditions
苛刻的要求
Demanding requirements
苛刻的待遇
Harsh treatment
Often Confused With
Refers more to mean-spirited or biting language/behavior towards people, rather than abstract conditions.
A neutral or positive term for being strict or firm; lacks the 'unfair' connotation of 苛刻.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word is primarily used in formal or serious contexts to describe unfairness. It carries a negative connotation, implying that the person or situation is unreasonable. Use it when you want to express strong dissatisfaction with a standard.
Common Mistakes
Students often use it to mean 'strict' (严格) in a positive way, which is incorrect. Remember that '苛刻' is almost always a criticism of excessive or unfair pressure. It should not be used to praise someone's high standards.
Tips
Use with context of difficulty
Pair '苛刻' with nouns like '条件' (conditions) or '要求' (demands) to sound natural. It signals that you find the situation unreasonable.
Avoid using for simple discipline
Do not use '苛刻' if you simply mean 'strict'. Use '严格' for standard discipline; '苛刻' implies the standard is unfair.
Cultural nuance of fairness
In Chinese culture, emphasizing fairness is important. Labeling someone as '苛刻' is a strong social criticism of their lack of benevolence.
Word Origin
The character 苛 implies 'small, trivial, or troublesome,' and 刻 means 'to carve or cut.' Together, they describe a situation that cuts away all comfort through trivial or excessive demands.
Cultural Context
In a high-pressure society, the word is frequently used to critique unrealistic expectations. It reflects the tension between individual well-being and institutional demands.
Memory Tip
Think of '苛' as 'harsh' and '刻' as 'cutting'. Imagine a blade cutting away all room for negotiation.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“严厉”通常指态度严肃、规矩严格，带有中性或褒义色彩；而“苛刻”带有明显的贬义，暗示要求过高、不近人情。
当某人的要求让你感到难以完成，或者某项合同条款让你觉得被剥削时，可以使用“苛刻”一词。
可以，常说“他对待员工很苛刻”，指某人对待他人的方式非常严苛、吝啬或挑剔。
其反义词通常为“宽容”、“优厚”或“宽松”，表示给予对方足够的空间或条件。
Test Yourself
这家公司提出的入职条件太___了，根本没人能达到。
形容条件过高、难以达成，用“苛刻”最准确。
Score: /1
Summary
苛刻 refers to conditions or attitudes that are unreasonably demanding or harsh.
- Used for excessively high or unreasonable standards.
- Describes harsh or unforgiving treatment of others.
- Often implies a lack of flexibility or empathy.
Use with context of difficulty
Pair '苛刻' with nouns like '条件' (conditions) or '要求' (demands) to sound natural. It signals that you find the situation unreasonable.
Avoid using for simple discipline
Do not use '苛刻' if you simply mean 'strict'. Use '严格' for standard discipline; '苛刻' implies the standard is unfair.
Cultural nuance of fairness
In Chinese culture, emphasizing fairness is important. Labeling someone as '苛刻' is a strong social criticism of their lack of benevolence.
Examples
4 of 4老板给出的业绩目标太苛刻了。
The performance target set by the boss is too harsh.
合同中包含了许多苛刻的条款。
The contract contains many harsh clauses.
别对我那么苛刻，我已经尽力了。
Don't be so hard on me; I've done my best.
该地区环境苛刻，不利于植物生长。
The environment in this region is harsh and unfavorable for plant growth.
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