serios
“serios” means “serious” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
serious, solemn
Also: earnest
📝 In Action
Los doctores eran muy serios al darnos la noticia.
A1The doctors were very serious when giving us the news.
Mis amigos son serios cuando hablan de política.
A2My friends are serious when they talk about politics.
serious, important
Also: grave
📝 In Action
Hubo daños serios en los edificios después del terremoto.
B1There was serious damage to the buildings after the earthquake.
Tenemos problemas muy serios que resolver antes de mañana.
B2We have very serious problems to solve before tomorrow.
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: serios
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'serios'?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin word *serius*, meaning 'grave' or 'earnest.' It passed into Spanish maintaining its core meaning of importance or lack of humor.
First recorded: Medieval Latin
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know whether to use 'serios' or 'serias'?
You need to look at the group of people or things you are describing. If the group is all female (like 'las abuelas'), use 'serias.' If the group is all male (like 'los hombres') or a mixed group (like 'los profesores y las alumnas'), use the masculine form 'serios.'
Is 'serios' used to describe a temporary state or a permanent personality trait?
'Serios' usually describes a fundamental quality or personality trait, so it almost always uses the verb 'ser' (to be, permanent): 'Ellos son serios' (They are serious people). If someone is temporarily looking serious, you might use 'estar' (to be, temporary) with a different adjective, but 'serios' is strongly associated with 'ser'.