“苛刻的”的英语可以翻译为：harsh，rigorous，[经] hard，slashing，trenchant ...

他是个苛刻的批评家，但却是个非常善良的人。He was a stern critic but an extremely kindly man.囚犯们很快就适应了苛刻的条件.The prisoners quickly became inured to the harsh conditions.他给自己制定了极为苛刻的标准，满腔热忱地献身于芭蕾事业。He set himself ferociously tough standards; an...