厉害

厲害
lìhai
adjective HSK 5 #1,156

Meanings

  1. 1 awesome
  2. 2 formidable
  3. 3 terrible; severe

Examples

Nǐ tài lìhai le!
You're awesome!
Zhè cì gǎnmào hěn lìhai.
This cold is really bad.
Tā de shùxué hěn lìhai.
Her math is really impressive.

Tips

usage
厉害 is one of the most versatile Chinese adjectives. Positive: 你好厉害 (you're amazing!). Negative: 厉害 (it hurts terribly). Context is everything.
grammar
The second syllable is pronounced with a neutral tone: lì hai, not lì hài.

In Pop Culture

厉害 Lìhai le, wǒ de guó!
Amazing, my country!
2018 documentary title turned internet meme about national pride

Stroke Order

hài