“严肃”常见的英文表达有 serious、solemn、grave 等,具体使用哪个词取决于语境:
serious:使用最广泛,既可形容人态度认真、不苟言笑,也可形容事情重要、危险或情况严重。例如:
He has a serious expression on his face.(他脸上带着严肃的表情。)
This is a serious problem.(这是个严重的问题。)
solemn:侧重于形容气氛、仪式庄重严肃,或人表情凝重、不苟言笑,常带有一种正式或神圣的感觉。例如:
The funeral was a solemn occasion.(葬礼是个庄重的场合。)
He made a solemn promise.(他做出了一个郑重的承诺。)
grave:常用来形容情况严重、令人担忧,也可形容人表情严肃、庄重,带有一种凝重、严肃的意味。例如:
The situation is grave.(形势严峻。)
He looked at me with a grave expression.(他一脸严肃地看着我。)