厳重
げんじゅう · genjuu · JLPT N2 · na-adj
strict
🔒 厳 strict + 重 heavy: strict rules that weigh heavy on everyone
厳 means strict and 重 means heavy or serious. Together, 厳重 describes a rule or security measure that is tightly enforced, with nothing getting past it.
重 — person 人 + east 東 (phonetic)
Originally depicted a person carrying a heavy bundle on their back, suggesting weight and burden. The 東-like element served as a phonetic component. Over time the character split into two readings: zhòng meaning 'heavy' and chóng meaning 'repeat/again'.