sérieux/se.ʁjø/
adjective / interjection · A2 · Frequency 644
adjectivemasculine
Meanings
serious
Commonly used to describe attitudes, behavior, or situations, indicating solemnity or earnestness.
reliable, trustworthy
Used to describe a person or thing that can be trusted or is credible.
Examples
C'est un étudiant sérieux qui prépare toujours ses examens.
He is a serious student who always prepares for his exams.
Le médecin lui a parlé sur un ton sérieux.
The doctor spoke to him in a serious tone.
Ce problème sérieux exige une réponse rapide.
This serious problem requires a quick response.
Collocations
- ami sérieuxreliable friend
Common mistakes
Cette femme est sérieux.
Cette femme est sérieuse.
The adjective sérieux takes the feminine singular form sérieuse when it modifies a feminine singular noun, rather than keeping the masculine form sérieux.
Related words
synonymgraveserious, important
interjection
Meanings
Really? For real?
Used as an interjection to express surprise or to confirm the truth of what someone said, common in spoken language.
Seriously; in a serious manner
Used as an interjection to indicate that the speaker wants the listener to take something seriously, common in spoken language.
Examples
Sérieux ? Tu as vraiment obtenu ce poste ?
Really? Did you actually get that job?
Sérieux, tu as oublié les clés une deuxième fois ?
Seriously, did you forget the keys a second time?
Sérieux ? On peut entrer sans réservation ?
Really? Can we go in without a reservation?
Collocations
- sérieux ?Really?
- parler sérieusementto speak seriously
- prendre quelque chose au sérieuxto take something seriously
Common mistakes
sérieux?
sérieux!
The interjection sérieux is usually punctuated with an exclamation mark to express surprise or confirmation, not a question mark.
Related words
- synonymvraimentreally, truly
synonymsérieusementseriously
adjectivefeminine
Meanings
serious
Commonly used to describe attitudes, behavior, or situations, indicating solemnity or earnestness.
reliable, trustworthy
Used to describe a person or thing that can be trusted or is credible.
Examples
C est une collègue sérieuse sur qui l équipe peut compter.
She is a serious colleague whom the team can rely on.
La candidate a présenté une proposition sérieuse et bien documentée.
The candidate presented a serious and well-documented proposal.
Cette entreprise cherche une partenaire sérieuse pour son nouveau projet.
This company is looking for a serious partner for its new project.
Collocations
- ami sérieuxreliable friend
Common mistakes
Cette femme est sérieux.
Cette femme est sérieuse.
The adjective sérieux takes the feminine singular form sérieuse when it modifies a feminine singular noun, rather than keeping the masculine form sérieux.
Related words
synonymgraveserious, important
adjectivefeminine
Meanings
serious
Commonly used to describe attitudes, behavior, or situations, indicating solemnity or earnestness.
reliable, trustworthy
Used to describe a person or thing that can be trusted or is credible.
Examples
Les étudiantes sérieuses relisent leur travail avant de le rendre.
Serious female students reread their work before handing it in.
Mes collègues sont sérieuses quand elles discutent des problèmes de sécurité.
My female colleagues are serious when they discuss safety issues.
Les candidates sérieuses se sont bien préparées pour l entretien.
The serious female candidates prepared well for the interview.
Collocations
- ami sérieuxreliable friend
Common mistakes
Cette femme est sérieux.
Cette femme est sérieuse.
The adjective sérieux takes the feminine singular form sérieuse when it modifies a feminine singular noun, rather than keeping the masculine form sérieux.
Related words
synonymgraveserious, important