Breakdown of Насколько это серьёзно?
этот
this [f: эта, n: это]
серьёзно
seriously
насколько
how much, to what extent
Questions & Answers about Насколько это серьёзно?
Why do we use насколько instead of как here?
English uses 'how' + adjective to ask about degree (how big, how serious). But in Russian, if you say Как это серьёзно, it sounds like an exclamation: 'How serious this is!' To ask a question about the degree or extent of an adjective, you must use насколько (literally 'to what extent' or 'on how much').
Is серьёзно an adverb or an adjective in this sentence?
It is a short-form neuter adjective. It agrees with the neuter pronoun это (this/it). It happens to look exactly like the adverb серьёзно (seriously), but grammatically, sentences using это as a standalone subject followed by a description require the short-form adjective.
Why can't I use the standard long-form adjective and say Насколько это серьёзное?
When это is used as a generic pronoun meaning 'this situation' or 'it' (rather than pointing to a specific neuter noun), the describing adjective must be in the short form (серьёзно). You would only use the long form (серьёзное) if you were directly describing a noun, like серьёзное дело (a serious matter).
How does this question connect to the lesson's focus on слишком (too) and достаточно (enough)?
Насколько asks about the exact degree or extent of a situation. The perfect way to answer it is by using the degree markers from this lesson! For example, you could reply: Это достаточно серьёзно, чтобы вызвать врача (It is serious enough to call a doctor) or Это не слишком серьёзно (It is not too serious).
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