severo
“severo” means “strict” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
strict, harsh
Also: stern, rigorous
📝 In Action
Mi abuelo era un hombre muy severo pero nos quería mucho.
A2My grandfather was a very strict man but he loved us a lot.
El juez dictó una sentencia severa contra el criminal.
B1The judge handed down a harsh sentence against the criminal.
Las reglas del internado son muy severas.
B1The rules of the boarding school are very strict.
severe, grave
Also: acute
📝 In Action
La región sufrió una sequía severa durante tres años.
B2The region suffered a severe drought for three years.
El paciente presenta un cuadro severo de neumonía.
C1The patient shows a severe case of pneumonia.
Hubo daños severos en la estructura del edificio.
B2There was severe damage to the building's structure.
Translate to Spanish
Words that translate to "severo" in Spanish:
stern→✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: severo
Question 1 of 3
Which sentence describes a person who follows the rules exactly?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin word 'severus', which described someone who was serious, strict, or grave in their behavior.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'severo' the same as 'strict' in English?
Yes, when describing people or rules, they are almost identical. 'Severo' carries a slightly more formal tone than 'estricto'.
Can I use 'severo' for weather?
Yes, you can describe a 'clima severo' (severe climate) or 'tiempo severo' (severe weather), though 'extremo' is also very common.
Does 'severo' change for gender?
Yes! Use 'severo' for masculine nouns (un hombre severo) and 'severa' for feminine nouns (una ley severa).