Seriously?
Confirming truth
Use `Seriously?` to react to surprising news or annoying situations in casual, everyday English conversations.
En 15 secondes
- A one-word way to express disbelief or shock.
- Tone of voice changes it from 'wow' to 'I'm annoyed'.
- Common in casual talk, movies, and social media.
Signification
You use this when you can't believe what you just heard. It is a way to ask 'Is that really true?' because you are surprised or annoyed.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6A friend shares shocking news
Seriously? You're moving to Japan next month?
Seriously? You're moving to Japan next month?
The coffee machine is broken again
Seriously? It was just fixed yesterday!
Seriously? It was just fixed yesterday!
Reacting to a long work email on Friday night
Seriously? He wants this report done by Monday morning?
Seriously? He wants this report done by Monday morning?
Contexte culturel
The phrase gained massive 'meme' status in the mid-2000s, particularly through US medical dramas and sitcoms. It represents a shift toward using adverbs as standalone sentences to express emotional stance. In modern digital culture, it is often paired with the 'facepalm' emoji to show collective frustration.
The Eyebrow Rule
To sound like a native, lift your eyebrows when saying it for surprise, and narrow your eyes when saying it for annoyance.
Watch the 'Sass'
In the US, saying it too often to an authority figure can make you sound 'sassy' or disrespectful.
En 15 secondes
- A one-word way to express disbelief or shock.
- Tone of voice changes it from 'wow' to 'I'm annoyed'.
- Common in casual talk, movies, and social media.
What It Means
Seriously? is your go-to tool for disbelief. It is like a verbal magnifying glass for the truth. When someone tells you something wild, you say this to check if they are joking. It covers everything from 'Wow, cool!' to 'Are you kidding me right now?' It is short, punchy, and carries a lot of weight. Think of it as the ultimate reality check in a conversation.
How To Use It
Your voice does all the work here. If your voice goes up at the end, you are asking a question. If your voice stays flat or drops, you are likely annoyed. You can use it as a one-word reaction. You can also put it at the start of a sentence. For example: Seriously? You ate the whole pizza? It works perfectly in texts when you see a crazy photo. Just remember: the shorter the word, the bigger the reaction.
When To Use It
Use it when a friend tells you they won the lottery. Use it when your bus is twenty minutes late again. It is perfect for those 'I can't believe my eyes' moments. At a restaurant, if the bill is wrong, a quiet Seriously? to your partner is common. In a meeting, use it if a deadline moves to tomorrow. It helps you bond over shared surprises or frustrations. It is the salt of English conversation—it adds flavor to every reaction.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this with your boss during a serious performance review. It can sound a bit rude or dismissive if you aren't careful. Avoid it in very formal ceremonies like weddings or funerals. If someone is sharing sad, deep news, Seriously? might sound like you don't believe their pain. It is a high-energy word, so keep it away from quiet, delicate moments. Also, don't over-use it, or you will sound like a shocked teenager in a movie.
Cultural Background
This phrase exploded in popularity through American TV shows in the 2000s. Shows like 'Grey's Anatomy' used it as a catchphrase for drama. It reflects a culture that values directness and expressive reactions. In the UK, people might use Really? or Are you joking? more often. However, Seriously? has become a global English staple thanks to the internet. It captures the modern feeling of being constantly surprised by the world.
Common Variations
If you want to sound more casual, try For real? or No way!. If you are very angry, you might say Are you serious?. For a softer version, try Really?. In texting, people often just write Srslly? to save time. If you want to be funny, you can stretch the word out: See-ree-us-ly?. Each version changes the 'temperature' of your disbelief just a little bit.
Notes d'usage
Mainly used in informal and neutral settings. Be careful with your intonation, as it can easily swing from 'happy surprise' to 'angry sarcasm'.
The Eyebrow Rule
To sound like a native, lift your eyebrows when saying it for surprise, and narrow your eyes when saying it for annoyance.
Watch the 'Sass'
In the US, saying it too often to an authority figure can make you sound 'sassy' or disrespectful.
The 'Grey's' Effect
The show 'Grey's Anatomy' made this phrase so popular in the 2000s that it became a cultural phenomenon for expressing drama.
Exemples
6Seriously? You're moving to Japan next month?
Seriously? You're moving to Japan next month?
Expresses genuine surprise and excitement.
Seriously? It was just fixed yesterday!
Seriously? It was just fixed yesterday!
Shows frustration with a recurring problem.
Seriously? He wants this report done by Monday morning?
Seriously? He wants this report done by Monday morning?
Used to vent frustration with a colleague.
Seriously? I thought they were the perfect couple.
Seriously? I thought they were the perfect couple.
Common reaction to gossip or news.
Seriously? And then the cat just opened the door?
Seriously? And then the cat just opened the door?
Checking if the speaker is telling the truth.
Seriously, Max? Look at the walls!
Seriously, Max? Look at the walls!
Used to show mild anger or disbelief at a situation.
Teste-toi
Choose the best response to show you are surprised by a high price.
That burger costs $45! ___?
`Seriously?` is the perfect reaction to an unbelievable price.
Which tone should you use if you are annoyed?
When the train is late, you say 'Seriously?' with a ___ tone.
A flat or falling tone usually signals annoyance or 'I'm over this'.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality Scale of 'Seriously?'
Texting friends (srslly?)
Srslly? No way!
Daily chat with coworkers
Seriously? The meeting is moved?
Business presentation
Are you certain of these figures?
When to drop a 'Seriously?'
Bad Luck
Spilling coffee on a white shirt
Shocking News
Friend wins a trip to Hawaii
Sarcasm
Someone says the sky is green
Incredible Feat
Watching a world record being broken
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot usually. It is mostly a rhetorical question used to express an emotion like shock or frustration rather than seeking a 'yes' or 'no'.
It is better to avoid it. Use more formal phrases like Really? or Is that so? to maintain a professional image.
Really? is more neutral. Seriously? often carries a stronger punch of either disbelief or irritation.
You can spell it correctly, or use the common slang version srslly or simply srsly.
It depends on your tone. If said with a smile, it's friendly. If said with a frown and a sigh, it can be seen as rude.
Yes! You can start a sentence with it to show you are being sincere, like Seriously, I love your new car.
Yes, though they might use Are you joking? or Bloody hell! in similar situations, Seriously? is very common now due to American media.
Try using Are you kidding me? or You've got to be joking. These show a higher level of frustration.
Only if you have a very friendly, casual relationship. Otherwise, it might sound like you are questioning their authority.
Stretching it into See-ree-ous-ly? adds extra emphasis, usually to show that the situation is incredibly ridiculous.
Expressions liées
No way!
Extreme disbelief or excitement.
For real?
Slang for 'Are you telling the truth?'
You're kidding!
Used when you think someone is playing a joke.
Get out of here!
An idiomatic way to say 'I don't believe you!'
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