“Ernsthaft” is composed out of the word “Ernst” meaning serious, grave or stern, and the suffix “-haft” (which changes nouns into adjectives). The second refers to someone’s stern and serious expression - for example a grumpy look after losing a game - or an earnest way of behaving. The third definition describes a matter or action that is very important, insistent or weighty due to its high importance. Two characters looking very 'ernsthaft' in the German TV movie Drachenland (1999). Photo: DPAExamples“Sein ernsthafter Ausdruck machte mir angst.”“His stern expression scared me.”“Das ist eine ernsthafte Angelegenheit.”“This is a weighty matter.”“Ich meine es todernst!”“I am dead serious!”“Das ist eine ernsthafte Krankheit.”“This is a serious illness.”“Ernsthaft?

Source: The Local November 28, 2019 08:48 UTC