ernstlich
Translation
seriously, earnestly, gravely
Examples
Ich muss dich ernstlich um etwas bitten.
I must ask you seriously for something.
Er war ernstlich krank.
He was seriously ill.
Das ist eine ernstliche Warnung.
This is a serious warning.
Grammar Patterns
as an adverb ((+ Verb)) to (verb) seriously We must think about it seriously.
as an adjective ((+ Noun)) a serious (noun) That is a serious danger.
Similar Words
Synonyms: ernsthaft, seriös, nachdrücklich; Antonyms: scherzhaft, leichtfertig
Etymology
Derived from 'Ernst' (seriousness) plus the suffix '-lich', which often forms adjectives and adverbs, similar to '-ly' in English.
Memory Tips
Think of 'ernst' + '-lich' as 'serious' + '-ly'. It emphasizes the seriousness of an action or state.