French Conversation · Level 29
89 words
French word
sérieux
Pronunciation
IPA/seʁjø/
Meaning
- adjectiveserious
Example
Il est très sérieux au travail.
He is very serious at work.
More examples
Il faut être sérieux quand on conduit.
You must be serious when driving.
Core concept
A quiet seriousness that signals commitment in a person and importance in a situation.
Common phrases
se montrer sérieux
act serious
garder un air sérieux
maintain a serious expression
un ton sérieux
a serious tone
Similar words
responsable: Taking responsibility for assigned duties through actions and decisions.
consciencieux: Working carefully and thoroughly, with close attention to detail.
fiable: Keeping promises and completing work in a dependable way.
Definition in French
Qui montre du sérieux dans son comportement ou ses paroles, inspirant confiance.
Word origin
Sérieux is an inherited French adjective from Latin serius, passed through Old French before reaching its modern spelling and meaning.
Usage tips
- In conversation, Sérieux ? can express surprise or doubt, unlike the ordinary descriptive use of sérieux in a sentence.
Other meanings
- earnestadjective
- graveadjective
Opposites
- insouciantcarefreeadjective
- désinvoltenonchalantadjective
Related words
- sérieusementseriouslyadverb
- sérieuxseriousnessnoun