Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'serious'

English Word: serious

Key Russian Translations:

• серьёзный [sʲɪˈrʲɵznɨj] - [Adjective, Formal/Informal]
• серьёзно [sʲɪˈrʲɵznə] - [Adverb, Informal, Used in everyday conversation]

Frequency: High (This word and its translations are commonly used in both spoken and written Russian across various contexts.)

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; requires understanding of adjective and adverb forms, but accessible to learners with basic grammar knowledge.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

серьёзный: [sʲɪˈrʲɵznɨj]

серьёзно: [sʲɪˈrʲɵznə]

Note on серьёзный: The pronunciation features a soft 'r' sound (palatalized), which can be challenging for English speakers; practice the 'ɵ' sound as in "bird" but shorter.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: Not joking or playful; requiring serious attention (e.g., a serious person or situation).

Translation(s) & Context:

• серьёзный - Used in formal and informal contexts to describe someone or something that is earnest or grave, such as in professional or personal discussions.
• серьёзно - Used adverbially in casual conversations to emphasize sincerity or depth.

Usage Examples:

• Он всегда серьёзный в работе. (He is always serious at work.)

  Translation: He is always serious at work. (This example shows the adjective in a professional context.)

• Серьёзно, ты должен это обдумать. (Seriously, you should think about this.)

  Translation: Seriously, you should think about this. (Here, the adverb is used in informal advice-giving.)

• Её серьёзное отношение к учёбе помогло ей преуспеть. (Her serious attitude to studying helped her succeed.)

  Translation: Her serious attitude to studying helped her succeed. (Demonstrates the adjective in an educational setting.)

• Не говори так серьёзно, это шутка! (Don't say it so seriously; it's a joke!)

  Translation: Don't say it so seriously; it's a joke! (Illustrates the adverb in a light-hearted correction.)

• Серьёзный разговор нужен, чтобы решить проблему. (A serious conversation is needed to solve the problem.)

  Translation: A serious conversation is needed to solve the problem. (Shows the adjective in conflict resolution.)

Meaning 2: Severe or significant, often implying gravity (e.g., a serious injury).

Translation(s) & Context:

• серьёзный - Applied in contexts involving health, risks, or consequences, typically in formal or medical discussions.

Usage Examples:

• Это была серьёзная травма, требующая операции. (This was a serious injury that required surgery.)

  Translation: This was a serious injury that required surgery. (Example in a medical context.)

• Серьёзные последствия могут наступить, если не принять меры. (Serious consequences may occur if measures are not taken.)

  Translation: Serious consequences may occur if measures are not taken. (Demonstrates use in warnings or advice.)

• Его серьёзное заболевание беспокоит всю семью. (His serious illness worries the whole family.)

  Translation: His serious illness worries the whole family. (Shows emotional and familial context.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

серьёзный is an adjective, which follows the standard Russian adjective declension patterns. It changes based on gender, number, and case. серьёзно is an adverb and does not inflect.

For серьёзно, as an adverb, it remains unchanged: e.g., "Он говорит серьёзно" (He speaks seriously).

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: важный (important, with a nuance of significance), серьёзный (earnest, similar core meaning), ответственный (responsible)
• Antonyms: несерьёзный (not serious, frivolous), лёгкий (light-hearted, in certain contexts)

Related Phrases:

• серьёзный подход (a serious approach) - Refers to a methodical and dedicated way of handling tasks.
• взять что-то на серьёзно (to take something seriously) - Means to treat a matter with gravity and attention.
• серьёзные намерения (serious intentions) - Often used in relationships to indicate commitment.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "серьёзный" directly corresponds to the English "serious" in most contexts, but choose it over synonyms like "важный" when emphasizing earnestness rather than importance. It can be used in both formal (e.g., business) and informal settings, but be cautious with adverbs like "серьёзно" in casual speech to avoid sounding overly dramatic. Grammatically, adjectives like "серьёзный" must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify, which is a key difference from English. When multiple translations exist, opt for "серьёзный" for adjectival uses and "серьёзно" for adverbial ones based on context.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "серьёзный" without proper agreement, e.g., saying "серьёзный женщина" instead of "серьёзная женщина". Correct: Always match gender and case, as in "серьёзная женщина". Explanation: Russian adjectives inflect, unlike English ones, so learners must check noun properties.
• Error: Confusing "серьёзно" with "серьёзный" in sentences, e.g., "Он серьёзно человек" instead of "Он серьёзный человек". Correct: Use "серьёзный" as an adjective. Explanation: Adverbs and adjectives have distinct roles; misuse can alter the sentence structure.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, being "серьёзный" is often valued in professional and social contexts, reflecting a preference for reliability and depth. However, it can sometimes contrast with the more light-hearted aspects of Russian humor, where excessive seriousness might be playfully mocked in informal settings.

Related Concepts:

• ответственный (responsible)
• важный (important)
• глубокий (deep, in a metaphorical sense)