ernste
Translation
serious, earnest, grave, severe
Examples
Das ist eine ernste Angelegenheit.
This is a serious matter.
Er hat ernste Probleme.
He has serious problems.
Ihre ernste Miene machte mir Angst.
Her serious expression scared me.
Grammar Patterns
(before a feminine or plural noun) serious This is a serious matter.
Similar Words
Synonyms: seriös, wichtig; Antonyms: locker, lustig, witzig
Etymology
Derived from Old High German 'ernust,' meaning 'seriousness' or 'struggle.' It is a cognate of the English word 'earnest'.
Memory Tips
This is the declined form of 'ernst'. Remember that it sounds like 'earnest', which helps connect it to the meaning of being serious.