serious
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serious
Of great importance and involving serious, far-reaching consequences or effects. Refers to abstract things such as mistakes, reasons, or problems.
Das Gericht sah die Tat als schwerwiegenden Eingriff in die Privatsphäre an.
The court viewed the act as a serious invasion of privacy.
The adjective is made up of 'schwer' (heavy/serious) and 'wiegend' (from the verb 'wiegen' (to weigh)). Figuratively, it describes something that 'weighs heavily' and therefore has great importance or serious consequences.
Seine Entscheidung hatte schwerwiegende Folgen für die ganze Firma.
His decision had serious consequences for the whole company.
'Schwerwiegend' (serious) is almost always used with abstract nouns that describe something serious. Typical combinations are 'schwerwiegende Fehler' (serious mistakes), 'Gründe' (reasons), 'Folgen' (consequences), 'Bedenken' (concerns), or 'Probleme' (problems).
Die Ermittler haben schwerwiegende Beweise gegen den Verdächtigen gefunden.
The investigators found serious evidence against the suspect.
This adjective belongs more to written language and formal usage. It is often found in the news, official reports, or legal texts.
Der Bericht nennt mehrere schwerwiegende Mängel bei der Konstruktion.
The report lists several serious defects in the construction.
heavy / difficult
Schwer and schwerwiegend can both assess abstract things such as mistakes or problems as serious. Schwer more generally indicates a high degree of severity. Schwerwiegend emphasizes their great importance and their serious, far-reaching consequences.
Bei der Planung wurde ein schwerwiegender Fehler gemacht, der das gesamte Projekt gefährdet.
A serious mistake was made during the planning that jeopardized the entire project.
Bei der Planung wurde ein schwerer Fehler gemacht.
A serious mistake was made during the planning.
