Usually, a person is clowning around if he is being funny when he should be serious.

VOA: special.2009.01.11

Is he joking or is he serious?

他是认真的还是开玩笑“

耶鲁公开课 - 现代诗歌课程节选

That is to say,the reward of good behavior the admiration and the honor that a hero gets, and the most serious punishment he can suffer is to be shamed in front of that community.

也就是说,对正面行为的犒赏,就是得到如英雄般的尊敬和仰慕,而最严厉的惩罚,就是在集体面前当众蒙羞

耶鲁公开课 - 古希腊历史简介课程节选

He says child labor is an especially serious problem in West African countries.

VOA: special.2009.06.08

But he said it is still providing training and guidance to extremist elements in various countries and remains a serious threat.

VOA: standard.2009.03.29

He said it is a serious international problem that should be addressed broadly and can not be solved entirely by military means.

VOA: standard.2009.04.13

He is believed to have had serious reservations about the upcoming tour of duty in a Muslim nation.

VOA: standard.2009.11.10

He said it is now in the best interest of Israelis to make a serious attempt to make peace with the Palestinians.

VOA: standard.2010.03.11

He acknowledged that the situation today is serious with threats emanating from insurgents inside Afghanistan as well as from across the border in the mountains of Pakistan.

VOA: standard.2009.09.04

The world will change you." In a videotaped message to the Iranian people, Mr.Obama said Friday he is committed to diplomacy to address "serious differences" between the United States and Iran.

VOA: standard.2009.03.21