Definition
凄厉 is a literary stative verb used to describe sounds that are piercing, harsh, and mournful — like a bitter wind, a wailing cry, or a desperate scream. It combines the sense of 'chilling' (凄) with 'sharp' (厉), so it's stronger than just 'sad' or 'loud'. You'll encounter it in written narratives, poetry, or news reports describing tragic scenes.
s.v.
(of a sound) piercing and mournfulshrill and desolate
Examples
- 凄厉，。Chuāng wài chuán lái qī lì de kūshēng, ràng rén xīnli fāmáo.A piercing wail came from outside the window, sending chills down one's spine.
- 凄厉，。Hánfēng qī lì de hūxiào zhe, zhěng yè bù tíng.The bitter wind howled shrilly, never stopping all night.
- 凄厉。Zhànchǎng shàng qī lì de cǎnjiào lìng rén zhōngshēng nánwàng.The desolate screams on the battlefield were unforgettable for a lifetime.
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