French word

sérieusement

Pronunciation

IPA/seʁjøzəmɑ̃/

Meaning

  • adverbseriously

Example

Tu parles sérieusement ?

Are you serious?

Illustration for sérieusement (seriously)

More examples

Réfléchis sérieusement avant de décider.

Think seriously before deciding.

Core concept

A conversational spotlight on the gravity of what is being said, or on the need to treat it with seriousness.

Common phrases

  • parler sérieusement

    speak seriously

  • réfléchir sérieusement

    think seriously

  • travailler sérieusement

    work seriously

Similar words

vraiment: Used to emphasize that something is genuinely true.
franchement: In a direct and candid manner.
sincèrement: With heartfelt sincerity.
honnêtement: In a truthful and honest manner.

Definition in French

Exprime l'intensité d'une attitude sérieuse ou sert à demander à l'interlocuteur d'être sérieux à propos de ce qui est évoqué.

Word origin

Sérieusement is formed from sérieux, inherited from Latin serius, and the French adverbial suffix -ment, which comes from Latin mente, meaning 'with the mind'.

Usage tips

  • In Tu parles sérieusement ?, rising intonation often signals disbelief or challenge rather than a neutral request for information.

Other meanings

  • reallyadverb

Opposites

  • légèrementlightlyadverb
  • superficiellementsuperficiallyadverb

Related words

Word lists with this word