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How to Say ‘Are you serious?’ in German

Meinst du das ernst?

mynst doo dahs EH-rnst

[mynst doo dahs EH-rnst]

💬 Usage Tip: meinen here means "to mean", not "to think": Meinst du das ernst? is literally "Do you mean that seriously?"

Phrase Breakdown

Meinst du

mynst doo

Do you mean

This is the du-form of 'meinen' (to mean). In a question, the verb comes first.

Example

Meinst du mich?

Do you mean me?

Words in this phrase

Meinst

[mynst]

do you mean

Form of 'meinen' (to mean) for 'du'.

Example

Was meinst du?

What do you mean?

[doo]

you (singular/informal)

Used when speaking to one person informally.

Example

Wie fühlst du dich heute Abend?

How do you feel this evening?

das ernst?

dahs EH-rnst

that seriously?

'etwas ernst meinen' means to mean something seriously. The 'e' in 'ernst' is open, as in 'air'.

Example

Ich meine das ernst.

I mean that seriously.

Words in this phrase

das

[dahs]

that / it

Can refer to a thing, item, or dish in front of you.

Example

Was ist das? Das Wort das can mean that or it.

What is that? The word das can mean that or it.

ernst

[EH-rnst]

serious

Demanding or characterized by careful consideration or application.

Example

Meinst du das ernst?

Are you being serious?

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

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