adjective
serious
B1
'ernst' means 'serious' or 'grave'. It's gradable (comparative: ernster; superlative: am ernstesten) and has antonyms like 'lustig', 'komisch', 'witzig'. Common collocations include 'jemanden ernst nehmen' (to take someone seriously). No reflexive form; used attributively and predicatively. Describes mood, tone, situations, illnesses; regular adjective inflection.
Examples
Der Direktor blieb ernst, obwohl die Situation sich langsam verbesserte.
The director remained serious although the situation was slowly improving.
Er ist heute sehr ernst.
He's very serious today.
Details
Mnemonics
a person with a straight face and focused eyes — no smile
sounds like English 'earnest' which is similar in meaning
Notes
Ernst describes a person's mood or the tone of a situation (serious, grave). Do not confuse with 'ernsthaft' which often emphasizes seriousness in intent or consequence.