Portuguese · Emotions & Descriptions

"Serious" in Portuguese: sério/a

sério/a

Say it: SEH-ree-ooadjective/ˈsɛ.ɾiu/

Serious in Portuguese is sério or séria. It covers tone, personality, and “are you serious?” reactions.

Reaction

É sério? Você ganhou a bolsa?
Are you serious? You got the scholarship?
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How to pronounce sério/a

Say it

SEH-ree-oo

/ˈsɛ.ɾiu/

SEH-ree-oo

"Serious" in Portuguese: quick reference

PortugueseEnglish
sério / sériaserious

Default adjective.

é sério?are you serious? / really?

Reaction.

assunto sérioserious matter

Topic.

cara sériaserious face

Expression.

How to use sério/a in real life

  1. 1Reaction

    É sério? Você ganhou a bolsa?

    Are you serious? You got the scholarship?

    Surprise.

  2. 2Meeting

    Precisamos ter uma conversa séria sobre o prazo.

    We need to have a serious talk about the deadline.

    Work.

  3. 3Personality

    Ele parece sério, mas é bem engraçado.

    He seems serious, but he’s really funny.

    Character.

Mistakes English speakers make with sério/a

Incorrect: Ela é sério demais.

Correct: Ela é séria demais.

Match gender: séria.

Incorrect: Isso é serious?

Correct: Isso é sério?

Use sério.

Good to know

É sério? is a high-frequency Brazilian reaction meaning “really?” Falando sério softens into “I’m being serious.” Tone decides whether sério feels stern or just earnest.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Reacting to surprising news

  1. ChatPal

    É sério que você vai mudar de cidade?

    Are you serious that you’re moving cities?

  2. You

    É sério. aluguei o apartamento.

    I’m serious. I already rented the apartment.

  3. ChatPal

    Nossa. Que decisão séria.

    Wow. What a serious decision.

  4. You

    Pois é. Mas estou animada.

    Yeah. But I’m excited.

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"Serious" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Serious" in Portuguese

Feminine?

Séria.

Really?!

É sério?!

Seriously speaking?

Falando sério / sério mesmo.

Serious person?

Uma pessoa séria.

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