lihai

Lihai is the pinyin rendering of the Chinese term 厉害 (traditional 厲害). It is a Mandarin adjective meaning formidable, severe, or impressive, and in modern usage it often conveys admiration or emphasis. The core sense comes from earlier meanings of 厉 (severe, strict) and 害 (harm), but in contemporary speech li hai generally signals strength, skill, or intensity rather than literal danger.

In everyday Chinese, li hai describes people, abilities, or objects. For example, someone might say, “他很厉害,” meaning “He is very capable/impressive,” or “这台机器很厉害,” meaning “This machine is powerful.” The expression is common in casual talk and informal writing, and it has also become popular in internet slang and memes. A well-known example is the phrase “厉害了我的哥,” used to express astonishment or praise.

Lihai can also appear in names. It is possible as part of a Chinese given name, and where Li is the surname, “Li Hai” can occur as a two-syllable given name or as a combined name in transliteration. Beyond personal names, the term may appear in titles or descriptive phrases in transliterated contexts, though its primary and most frequent use remains as an ordinary adjective.

Overall, 厉害 is a versatile term in Chinese, spanning formal and informal registers, with tone and nuance determined by context and intent.