Je suis sérieux
Je suis sérieux is the French way to say "I am serious".
This phrase is used to emphasize that you are not joking or lying about something.
Which one should you use?
The form Je suis sérieux is used by a male speaker, whereas a female speaker uses Je suis sérieuse.
How does it change in a sentence?
If the speaker is female, the adjective must change from the masculine sérieux to the feminine sérieuse.
Did you know?
- In casual spoken French, the phrase Sérieux ? is frequently used as a standalone question to mean 'Really?' or 'Are you kidding?'
- The word sérieux is a 'learned borrowing', meaning it was consciously taken from Late Latin sēriōsus rather than evolving naturally through centuries of spoken change.
- While sérieux describes a person's disposition, French speakers often use the phrase C'est sérieux to describe a situation that is grave or critical.
Examples in context
- Je suis sérieux(se) à propos de cette question importante.I am serious about this important matter.
- Je ne parle pas à la légère, je tiens à ce projet.I am not speaking lightly, I care about this project.
- Je prends cette affaire très au sérieux, et j'y accorderai toute mon attention.I take this matter very seriously, and I will give it my utmost attention.
- Je suis sérieux(se), tu peux compter sur moi.I am serious, you can count on me.
- Écoute-moi attentivement, je ne plaisante pas.Listen to me carefully, I am not joking.
- Je suis vraiment sérieux(se) à propos de cette décision.I am truly serious about this decision.
- Je suis sérieux concernant mon travail.I am serious about my work.
Example conversation
Gabriel tells Manon that he is moving to a new city.
- GabrielJe déménage à Lyon le mois prochain.I am moving to Lyon next month.
- ManonTu plaisantes, n'est-ce pas ?You're joking, aren't you?
- GabrielNon, je suis sérieux.No, I am serious.
- ManonC'est une grande nouvelle pour toi, Gabriel.That is big news for you, Gabriel.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries je, suis, sérieux, CC BY-SA 4.0.
