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。
- He quickly became notorious for his stern management.
他很快因管理严厉而臭名昭著。 - 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.
她脸上似乎总是带着同样严厉的表情。 - There was a hint of a smile on his usually rather stern face.
他通常相当严肃的脸上有一丝微笑。
- 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
词源adjective 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.
许多人会放弃，但蒂姆是由更严厉的东西组成的。
- Many would have given up, but Tim was made of sterner stuff.
