serious / significant
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serious / significant
Such that it must be taken seriously; significant, important, or dangerous and not to be underestimated.
Der Klimawandel ist eine ernstzunehmende Bedrohung für die gesamte Menschheit.
Climate change is a serious threat to all of humanity.
This word developed from the construction 'ernst zu nehmen' (to be taken seriously). Such 'zu participles' express that something must or should be done. 'Ernstzunehmend' therefore literally means 'something that must be taken seriously.'
Das ist ein ernstzunehmender Einwand, über den wir nachdenken sollten.
That is a serious objection that we should think about.
As an adjective, 'ernstzunehmend' almost always comes directly before a noun and is declined accordingly. Predicative use ('Das Problem ist ernstzunehmend' — the problem is serious) is uncommon.
Sie hat sich zu einer ernstzunehmenden Konkurrentin entwickelt.
She has developed into a serious competitor.
This adjective is often combined with nouns that describe a challenge or danger. Typical examples are: eine ernstzunehmende Gefahr (a serious danger), ein ernstzunehmendes Problem (a serious problem), eine ernstzunehmende Krankheit (a serious illness), or ein ernstzunehmender Gegner (a serious opponent).
Die Ärzte diagnostizierten eine ernstzunehmende Krankheit.
The doctors diagnosed a serious illness.
important
'wichtig' and 'ernstzunehmend' can both say that something needs to be paid attention to. 'wichtig' is more general: an appointment, a piece of information, or a person can be important. 'ernstzunehmend' is used when something must not be underestimated, for example a problem, a danger, an opponent, or an offer. It often sounds a bit stronger because it says: you should really take this seriously.
Nach dem Unfall hatte der Fahrer ein ernstzunehmendes Problem mit dem Rücken.
After the accident, the driver had a serious problem with his back.
Nora übt heute langsam, weil sauberes Arbeiten beim Handwerk wichtig ist.
Nora is practicing slowly today because careful work is important in crafts.