苛刻 kēkè harsh
harsh; severe; demanding
How to remember 苛刻: 苛 severe + 刻 quarter (hour) = harsh.
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How it is used
- Harsh / exacting / overly demanding - 条件苛刻 (tiáojiàn kēkè) harsh terms, 对人苛刻 (duì rén kēkè) hard on people.
- Criticizes unreasonably strict standards or demands (conditions, requirements, a boss).
- Negative register; contrast 严格 (yángé, strict - can be neutral/positive), whereas 苛刻 implies unfair severity.