Solemn or Severe?

One of my students spent some time studying in the UK over the summer vacation so I asked her what she thought of it. 厳格 she said.

厳　－ GEN / GON - ogosko・ka / kibi・shii - severe
格　－ KAKU / KOU - status, norm or quality

厳格 according to my dictionary
means strict, stern, severe, or straitlaced. It seemed a harsh opinion for my country, perhaps she was referring to the school she was at? She shook her head. 厳か, she said. "Ogosoka" can mean solemn, sober, grave and austere. Which doesn't sound too much better. But then it can also mean majestic and awe-inspiring. I told her to say England was awe-inspiring. Anyway, here's further evidence that a words meaning can be fairly fluid and you should definitely get a feel for how a word is used in practice rather than relying solely on your dictionary...