Definition

ernst — serious

Comparison

FormWord
Positivernst
Komparativernster
Superlativam ernstesten

Examples

  • Das ist eine ernste Situation. — That is a serious situation.
  • Meinst du das ernst? — Do you mean that seriously?
  • Er nimmt alles zu ernst. — He takes everything too seriously.

Notes

ernst nehmen = to take seriously. Es ist mir ernst (damit) = I’m serious about it. der Ernst = seriousness. im Ernst = seriously/honestly. Opposite: witzig/lustig (funny).