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cierto

/syerr-toh/

true

A vibrant image of the sun rising exactly on the horizon over a calm blue ocean, symbolizing an undeniable, fixed fact.

When 'cierto' follows a noun, it means 'true' or 'certain,' describing an undeniable fact, like the certainty of the sun rising.

cierto(Adjective)

mA2
true?when talking about facts,certain?when something is definite or sure
Also:sure?expressing confidence in a fact

📝 In Action

La historia que me contó es cierta.

A2

The story he told me is true.

Es un hecho cierto que el sol sale por el este.

B1

It is a certain fact that the sun rises in the east.

No estoy cierto de la hora, déjame revisar.

B1

I'm not sure of the time, let me check.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • verdadero (true)
  • seguro (sure, certain)
  • real (real)

Antonyms

  • falso (false)
  • incierto (uncertain)
  • dudoso (doubtful)

Common Collocations

  • dar por cierto – to take for granted, to assume as true
  • estar cierto de algo – to be sure/certain of something
  • lo cierto es que... – the truth is that...

💡 Grammar Points

Position Matters: Use AFTER the Noun

When you want to say something is 'true' or 'certain', 'cierto' comes after the person or thing it's describing. For example, 'una noticia cierta' is 'true news'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'Cierto' and 'Seguro'

Mistake: "Using 'cierto' to talk about feeling safe."

Correction: 'Cierto' is about facts being true. 'Seguro' is for when you feel sure about something or when something is safe. Say 'Este lugar es seguro' (This place is safe), not 'cierto'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Introducing a Fact

You can start a sentence with 'Es cierto que...' to mean 'It's true that...'. It's a great way to state a fact you're about to explain.

A row of five identical, gray, closed boxes sits on a shelf. Only one single box is softly illuminated by a warm spotlight, suggesting a specific, but unnamed item.

When 'cierto' precedes a noun, it means 'a certain' or 'a particular' one, singling out a specific item from a group without naming it.

cierto(Adjective)

mB1
a certain?referring to a specific but unnamed thing,a particular?singling out one from a group without naming it
Also:some?when used in the plural ('ciertos/ciertas')

📝 In Action

Cierto día, recibí una carta misteriosa.

B1

A certain day, I received a mysterious letter.

Hay cierta persona en la oficina que siempre llega tarde.

B1

There's a certain person in the office who always arrives late.

Ciertas reglas no se pueden romper.

B2

Certain rules cannot be broken.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • determinado (a specific, a certain)
  • particular (particular)
  • alguno (some, any)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • en cierto modo – in a certain way, in a way
  • hasta cierto punto – up to a certain point, to some extent
  • a cierta hora – at a certain time

💡 Grammar Points

Position Matters: Use BEFORE the Noun

To talk about 'a certain' person or thing without naming them, 'cierto' goes before the noun. For example, 'un cierto amigo' means 'a certain friend'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Mixing up the two meanings

Mistake: "Un amigo cierto me dijo..."

Correction: Say 'Cierto amigo me dijo...' (A certain friend told me...). Placing 'cierto' after the noun ('un amigo cierto') would mean 'a true friend', which sounds a bit unusual.

⭐ Usage Tips

Being Vague on Purpose

This use of 'cierto' is perfect for when you want to mention something or someone without giving away all the details. It adds a little mystery or discretion to your sentence.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: cierto

Question 1 of 1

In the sentence 'Hay ciertas cosas que es mejor no saber', what does 'ciertas' mean?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

ciertamente(certainly) - adverb
certeza(certainty) - noun
acertar(to get right, to guess correctly) - verb
incierto(uncertain) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the biggest difference between using 'cierto' before or after a noun?

It's all about meaning! BEFORE a noun, 'cierto' means 'a certain' or 'a particular' (like 'cierto amigo' - 'a certain friend'). AFTER a noun, it means 'true' or 'sure' (like 'una historia cierta' - 'a true story'). The position completely changes the meaning.

Can I use 'cierto' and 'seguro' to mean the same thing?

Not really. They are close but have a key difference. 'Cierto' is about a fact being objectively true ('Es cierto que dos más dos son cuatro'). 'Seguro' is often about a person's feeling of confidence or being sure ('Estoy seguro de que va a llover'). You can be 'seguro' about something that turns out not to be 'cierto'!