Seriously
in SpanishEn serio
/en SEH-ree-oh/
This is the most common and direct way to say 'seriously' in Spanish. It works perfectly as a question ('¿En serio?' for 'Seriously?') and as a statement to add emphasis ('En serio, es la verdad' for 'Seriously, it's the truth').
Reacting with surprise is a perfect time to use '¿En serio?' or '¿De verdad?'.
💬Other Ways to Say It
¿De verdad?
/deh vehr-DAHD/
Meaning 'For real?' or 'Truly?', this is just as common as '¿En serio?' and is used interchangeably in nearly all situations to express surprise or ask for confirmation.
¿De veras?
/deh VEH-rahs/
A very common, slightly more casual alternative to '¿En serio?'. It literally means 'Of truth?' and is a hallmark of conversational Spanish, especially in Mexico and Central America.
Hablando en serio
/ah-BLAHN-doh en SEH-ree-oh/
This phrase is used to introduce a serious point, similar to saying 'Joking aside...' or 'On a serious note...'. It signals a shift in the conversation's tone.
Seriamente
/SEH-ree-ah-MEN-teh/
This is the direct adverb for 'seriously', but it's used to describe *how* an action is done (gravely, with seriousness), not to express surprise. For example, 'to consider something seriously'.
Fuera de broma
/FWEH-rah deh BROH-mah/
Literally 'outside of joke', this means 'all kidding aside' or 'no joke'. It’s another great way to signal that what you're about to say is true and important.
¿Neta?
/NEH-tah/
A hugely popular slang term in Mexico that means 'For real?', 'The truth?', or 'No way!'. It's the go-to informal word for this context among Mexicans.
¿Posta?
/POHS-tah/
This is the Argentine and Uruguayan equivalent of Mexico's '¿Neta?'. It's used constantly in casual 'Rioplatense' Spanish to express disbelief or ask for confirmation.
De verdad de la buena
/deh vehr-DAHD deh lah BWEH-nah/
A more emphatic and slightly playful way to say 'For real for real' or 'The real deal'. The 'de la buena' part adds emphasis, meaning 'of the good kind'.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Here’s a quick guide to choosing the best way to say 'seriously' based on the situation.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| En serio / De verdad | Neutral | Any situation, anywhere. The safest and most common choice. | Never. These are always appropriate. |
| De veras | Informal | Casual conversations in Latin America to sound natural. | Formal business meetings or when trying to sound local in Spain. |
| Hablando en serio | Neutral | Transitioning from a light topic to a serious one. | As a quick, one-word reaction to surprising news. |
| ¿Neta? / ¿Posta? | Very Informal | Chatting with close friends from Mexico or Argentina/Uruguay. | Speaking with strangers, elders, in professional settings, or outside their specific regions. |
| Seriamente | Formal/Neutral | Describing an action, e.g., 'thinking seriously'. | As a question to express surprise ('¿Seriamente?'). |
📈Difficulty Level
Generally straightforward. The 'r' in 'serio' is a simple tap, not a strong trill, which is easy for most English speakers.
These are fixed phrases, so there's no complex grammar or conjugation to worry about. You just need to learn them as complete chunks.
The main difficulty is cultural: knowing when to use formal versions versus regional slang is key to sounding natural and appropriate.
Key Challenges:
- Knowing which regional slang (neta, posta) to use and where.
- Distinguishing the use case of 'seriamente' (adverb) from 'en serio' (interjection).
💡Examples in Action
¿En serio no vas a venir a la fiesta? ¡Te vamos a extrañar!
Seriously, you're not coming to the party? We're going to miss you!
Me dijo que se muda a Japón. Yo le pregunté: '¿De veras?'
He told me he's moving to Japan. I asked him: 'For real?'
Hablando en serio por un momento, creo que deberíamos aceptar la oferta de la otra empresa.
Speaking seriously for a moment, I think we should accept the other company's offer.
—Gané la lotería. —¡No te creo! ¿Neta?
—I won the lottery. —I don't believe you! For real?
Tienes que considerar seriamente las consecuencias de tus acciones.
You have to seriously consider the consequences of your actions.
🌍Cultural Context
Tone is Everything
Just like in English, the meaning of '¿En serio?' or '¿De verdad?' can change dramatically based on your tone. It can express genuine surprise, excitement, disappointment, or even sarcastic disbelief. Pay close attention to how native speakers' voices rise and fall when they use these phrases.
Regional Slang is Your Passport
Using regional slang like '¿Neta?' in Mexico or '¿Posta?' in Argentina is a fantastic way to connect with locals and sound more natural. However, be aware that these words are very specific to their regions and might not be understood elsewhere. Stick to 'en serio' or 'de verdad' for universal understanding.
Not Just for Surprise
While often used to react to news, 'en serio' is also a powerful tool to add emphasis and show sincerity. Starting a sentence with 'En serio, ...' tells the listener that you are being completely honest and want them to believe you, much like saying 'I mean it' or 'Truly' in English.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Seriamente' as a Question
Mistake: "A friend tells you they got a new job, and you reply, '¿Seriamente?'"
Correction: ¿En serio? or ¿De verdad?
Using Slang in the Wrong Setting
Mistake: "In a business meeting, your boss announces a new policy, and you say, '¿Neta?'"
Correction: In a formal setting, stick to '¿En serio?' or perhaps '¿De verdad?'.
Confusing 'De Veras' and 'De Verdad'
Mistake: "Thinking 'de veras' is used commonly in Spain."
Correction: Use 'de verdad' in Spain; 'de veras' is more common in Latin America.
💡Pro Tips
Master the 'Big Three'
For 95% of situations, you just need to master 'en serio', 'de verdad', and 'de veras'. Think of 'en serio' and 'de verdad' as universal tools, and 'de veras' as your go-to for sounding natural in Latin America.
Use 'Hablando en Serio' to Change the Subject
This phrase is a powerful conversational tool. If a conversation is getting too silly or off-topic, you can politely steer it back by saying, 'Jaja, bueno, pero hablando en serio...' (Haha, okay, but on a serious note...). It’s a smooth way to transition.
Listen for the Question Mark
Pay attention to intonation. When used as a question ('¿En serio?'), the pitch goes up at the end. When used as a statement ('En serio, no lo sabía'), the pitch stays flat or goes down. Mimicking this will make you sound much more authentic.
🗺️Regional Variations
Mexico
Mexico is the capital of '¿De veras?'. While '¿En serio?' is also very common, '¿de veras?' has a slightly warmer, more conversational feel. The slang '¿neta?' is ubiquitous in informal settings among all age groups.
Spain
'¿De verdad?' is extremely common and might be slightly more frequent than '¿En serio?' in some parts of Spain. '¿De veras?' is understood but sounds distinctly Latin American.
Argentina
While '¿en serio?' is standard, '¿posta?' is the heart of informal Argentine speech for this context. Using it will make you sound instantly more local. It functions exactly like '¿neta?' in Mexico.
💬What Comes Next?
You express disbelief with '¿En serio?'
Sí, te lo juro.
Yes, I swear.
¡No me digas! Cuéntamelo todo.
No way! Tell me everything.
You confirm you are not joking with 'En serio.'
Wow, no lo sabía.
Wow, I didn't know that.
Pues sí, así son las cosas.
Well yeah, that's how things are.
You ask for confirmation with '¿De verdad?'
De verdad. No es broma.
For real. It's not a joke.
Estoy sin palabras.
I'm speechless.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say 'I'm kidding' in Spanish
It's the natural counterpart to 'seriously' in a conversation.
How to say 'no way' in Spanish
This is another common reaction to surprising news, often used alongside '¿en serio?'.
How to say 'I swear' in Spanish
When someone doubts you after you say 'en serio', you might follow up with 'te lo juro' (I swear).
How to say 'of course' in Spanish
Learning phrases for agreement and confirmation builds on the conversational function of 'seriously'.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: Seriously
Question 1 of 3
Your Mexican friend tells you they're moving to another country. What's the MOST natural, informal way to express your surprise?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between 'en serio', 'de verdad', and 'de veras'?
Functionally, they are very similar. 'En serio' and 'de verdad' are universal and can be used in almost any context. 'De veras' is also very common but has a more informal flavor and is used primarily in Latin America, especially Mexico. You can't go wrong using any of them in a casual chat, but 'en serio' and 'de verdad' are safest for formal situations.
Can I use 'seriamente' to say 'Seriously?'
No, this is a common mistake. 'Seriamente' is an adverb used to describe how something is done, as in 'pienso seriamente' (I think seriously). To express surprise or ask 'Seriously?', you must use '¿En serio?', '¿De verdad?', or a similar phrase.
Is it weird for a foreigner to use slang like 'neta' or 'posta'?
Not at all, as long as you use it in the right context! Using it correctly with friends in Mexico or Argentina will likely get you a positive reaction and make you sound more integrated. Just be sure you're in a casual setting with people you know; otherwise, stick to the standard phrases.
How do I make 'en serio' a statement instead of a question?
It's all in the intonation and placement. As a question, your voice goes up at the end: '¿En serio?'. As a statement to add emphasis, your voice stays flat or goes down, and it usually comes at the beginning of a sentence: 'En serio, no tenía idea.' (Seriously, I had no idea).
Are there any formal alternatives to 'en serio'?
In very formal or written contexts, you might use phrases like 'Hablando con toda seriedad...' (Speaking with all seriousness...) or 'Formalmente hablando...' (Formally speaking...). However, 'en serio' and 'de verdad' are perfectly acceptable in 99% of situations, including most professional ones.
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