sérieux
/se.ʁjø/
The English word "serious" is translated into French as sérieux.
The adjective is used to describe someone or something that is without humor or an expression of happiness. In informal contexts, the word carrément can be used as an intensifier to mean "seriously" or "totally".
Meaning: without humor or expression of happiness (adj)
Which one should you use?
The word grave can also be used to mean "serious" in more formal contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The masculine singular form is sérieux, and the masculine plural form remains sérieux. For feminine nouns, use the singular form sérieuse and the plural form sérieuses.
How do you pronounce it?
The word has two syllables: /se.ʁjø/.
Did you know?
- In French slang, young people often use the word grave as an adverb to mean 'seriously' or 'very', such as saying c'est grave bien to mean 'it is seriously good'.
- If a French speaker describes a person as sérieux, they might be praising their reliability and trustworthiness rather than just their lack of humor.
- The word sérieux is a direct cousin of the English word 'serious', as both descend from the same Latin root 'serius'.
Examples in context
- Tu es sérieux ?Are you serious?This sentence uses sérieux to ask if someone is being serious.Tatoeba #1065793 by sacredceltic, translation #373215 by kotobaboke
- Tu es si sérieux.You're so serious.This sentence uses sérieux to describe a person being very serious.Tatoeba #7849322 by Aiji, translation #2218393 by CK
- Un peu de sérieux.Let's get serious.This sentence uses sérieux as an exhortation to behave seriously.Tatoeba #3718808 by Scorpionvenin14, translation #2007831 by CK
- Il est très sérieux dans son travail.He is very serious about his work.
- La situation est grave.The situation is serious.
- La maladie est plus grave que prévu.The illness is more serious than expected.
- Il est carrément en retard !He's seriously late!
- Je suis gravement fatigué.I am seriously tired.
- Le discours était très solennel.The speech was very serious.
- 189 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Léa are discussing a new project at work.
- NathanOn doit rester sérieux pour ce projet.We have to stay serious for this project.
- LéaJe sais, mais c'est un peu stressant.I know, but it's a bit stressful.
- NathanPourquoi as-tu un visage si sérieux, Léa ?Why do you have such a serious face, Léa?
- LéaParce que je me concentre vraiment.Because I am really concentrating.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “serious” translations and entries sérieux, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sérieux, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
