Are you sure?
in Spanish¿Estás seguro?
/ehs-TAHS seh-GOO-roh/
This is the most direct and common way to ask 'Are you sure?' to a friend, family member, or someone you know well. Remember to change 'seguro' to 'segura' if you're asking a woman.
Asking '¿Estás seguro?' is perfect for moments when you need to double-check information or express a little friendly doubt.
💬Other Ways to Say It
¿Está seguro?
/ehs-TAH seh-GOO-roh/
This is the formal version, using 'está' for 'usted' (the formal 'you'). It's essential for showing respect to elders, bosses, or strangers.
¿Estás segura? / ¿Está segura?
/ehs-TAHS seh-GOO-rah/
This is the grammatically required version when asking a female. 'Seguro' is an adjective and must match the gender of the person you're talking to.
¿Seguro?
/seh-GOO-roh/
A very common, abbreviated version that drops the verb 'estás'. It's like saying 'Sure?' or 'You sure?' in English.
¿En serio?
/en SEH-ree-oh/
This translates to 'Seriously?' and is used to express surprise or disbelief, while also asking for confirmation. It's extremely common in everyday conversation.
¿De verdad?
/deh vehr-DAHD/
Meaning 'Really?' or 'For real?', this is very similar to '¿En serio?'. It questions the truthfulness of a statement in a surprised way.
¿Estás convencido/a?
/ehs-TAHS kohn-ven-SEE-doh/ah/
This means 'Are you convinced?'. It goes a step beyond just being sure; it implies that someone has considered the evidence or arguments and has made up their mind.
¿Lo dices en serio?
/loh DEE-sehs en SEH-ree-oh/
This translates to 'Are you saying that seriously?'. It adds a bit more intensity and disbelief than just '¿En serio?'.
¿No tienes dudas?
/noh TYEH-nehs DOO-dahs/
Meaning 'You don't have any doubts?'. This is a softer, more indirect way to ask if someone is sure.
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Here’s a quick guide to help you choose the best way to ask 'Are you sure?' based on the situation.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| ¿Estás seguro/a? | Informal/Formal | Directly and clearly asking for confirmation of a fact or plan. | You want to express emotional surprise rather than just check a fact. |
| ¿Seguro/a? | Casual | Quick, informal double-checks with friends and family. | Speaking to a boss, professor, or anyone in a formal context. |
| ¿En serio? / ¿De verdad? | Neutral | Reacting with surprise or disbelief to new information. | You need a simple, unemotional confirmation, like checking a meeting time. |
| ¿Estás convencido/a? | Neutral | Asking if someone is mentally persuaded after a discussion or argument. | A simple, factual confirmation is needed. It can sound a bit intense. |
📈Difficulty Level
Generally easy for English speakers. The single 'r' in 'seguro' is a soft flap, not a strong trill, which is manageable.
The main challenges are remembering to use 'estar' (not 'ser') and matching the gender ('seguro'/'segura'). These are crucial but require practice.
Mostly straightforward. The main nuance is choosing between factual confirmation ('¿Estás seguro?') and emotional reaction ('¿En serio?').
Key Challenges:
- Remembering to use 'estar' instead of 'ser'.
- Matching the gender of 'seguro/a' to the person you are asking.
- Choosing the correct formality level ('estás' vs. 'está').
💡Examples in Action
—Voy a escalar esa montaña mañana. —¿Estás seguro? Parece muy peligroso.
—I'm going to climb that mountain tomorrow. —Are you sure? It looks very dangerous.
—Señora, la cancelación de su vuelo es definitiva. —¿Está usted segura? Necesito verificar con la aerolínea.
—Ma'am, your flight cancellation is final. —Are you sure? I need to check with the airline.
—¡Me acabo de comprometer! —¿En serio? ¡Felicidades! ¡Qué emoción!
—I just got engaged! —Seriously? Congratulations! How exciting!
—Creo que dejé la puerta sin llave. —¿Segura? Mejor vuelve a revisar.
—I think I left the door unlocked. —Are you sure? You better go back and check.
🌍Cultural Context
Gender Agreement is Non-Negotiable
In Spanish, adjectives must 'agree' with the noun they describe. Since you are asking a person if they are sure, the word 'seguro' must match their gender. It's 'seguro' for a man and 'segura' for a woman. This is a fundamental rule in Spanish and getting it right makes you sound much more natural.
Tone is Everything
Just like in English, your tone of voice can completely change the meaning of '¿Estás seguro?'. A curious, friendly tone implies genuine concern. A sharp, skeptical tone can sound challenging or accusatory. Be mindful of how you say it, especially in professional or sensitive situations.
Expressing Surprise vs. Seeking Confirmation
While '¿Estás seguro?' is for checking facts, phrases like '¿En serio?' and '¿De verdad?' are all about emotion. They are gut reactions to surprising news. Using them makes your Spanish sound much more expressive and native-like in casual conversations.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'
Mistake: "Asking '¿Eres seguro?'"
Correction: '¿Estás seguro?'
Forgetting Gender Agreement
Mistake: "Asking a woman: '¿Estás seguro?'"
Correction: '¿Estás segura?'
Mixing up Formality
Mistake: "Telling your boss: '¿Estás seguro?'"
Correction: '¿Está seguro?' or '¿Está usted seguro?'
💡Pro Tips
Go Short for Casual Chats
In a relaxed conversation with friends, you'll almost always hear the shortened version: '¿Seguro?' or '¿Segura?'. Dropping the '¿Estás...?' makes you sound less like a textbook and more like a native speaker.
Use '¿En serio?' as a Conversation Filler
Much like 'Really?' in English, '¿En serio?' is a fantastic way to show you're engaged and listening. It encourages the other person to keep talking and share more details about their surprising story. It's a key tool for active listening in Spanish.
How to Ask a Group
If you're asking a group of people, you need the plural form: '¿Están seguros?'. If the group is all female, you'd use '¿Están seguras?'. This is the 'you all' version of the question.
🗺️Regional Variations
Mexico
The slang '¿Neta?' is an extremely common substitute for '¿En serio?' or '¿De verdad?' in Mexico. It's very informal and signals a friendly, casual conversation. Using it correctly can make you sound very natural.
Spain
The abbreviated '¿Seguro?' is extremely common in everyday speech in Spain. The general usage is very similar to Latin America, but the accent is the most noticeable difference.
Argentina
Similar to Mexico's '¿Neta?', Argentina has its own very popular informal slang: '¿Posta?'. It means 'For real?' and is used constantly among friends. You'll also hear 'vos' instead of 'tú', so the question might be phrased '¿Vos estás seguro?'.
💬What Comes Next?
After you ask '¿Estás seguro?' and they confirm.
Sí, estoy segurísimo.
Yes, I'm absolutely sure.
Bueno, confío en ti.
Okay, I trust you.
After you ask '¿Estás seguro?' and they express doubt.
La verdad, no estoy muy seguro.
To be honest, I'm not very sure.
Entonces, deberíamos verificarlo de nuevo.
Then we should check it again.
After you react with '¿En serio?' to their news.
¡Sí, te lo juro!
Yes, I swear!
¡Cuéntamelo todo!
Tell me everything!
🧠Memory Tricks
The close visual and phonetic link between 'secure' and 'seguro' creates a strong mental hook for English speakers.
This classic grammar rule of thumb is the key to avoiding the common 'ser' vs 'estar' mistake with this phrase.
🔄How It Differs from English
The biggest difference from English is grammatical. English uses the single phrase 'Are you sure?' for everyone, regardless of gender or formality. In Spanish, you must actively choose between 'estás/está' (informal/formal) and 'seguro/segura' (masculine/feminine). This requires you to be aware of who you are talking to in a way English does not demand.
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: While 'seguro' can mean 'safe', in the phrase '¿Estás seguro?', it exclusively means 'sure'.
Use instead: To ask 'Are you safe?', you would say '¿Estás a salvo?' or '¿Estás bien?'.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say I'm sure in Spanish
It's the natural answer to the question you just learned to ask.
How to say I don't know in Spanish
This is another essential phrase for expressing certainty or lack thereof.
How to say I think so in Spanish
This phrase allows you to express a level of certainty that is between 'I'm sure' and 'I don't know'.
How to say Do you agree? in Spanish
After confirming someone is sure, the next logical step is often to see if they agree with a plan.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: Are you sure?
Question 1 of 3
You are talking to your new, older boss, Sra. Ramirez. How do you ask her 'Are you sure?'
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between '¿Estás seguro?' and '¿Eres seguro?'
This is a classic 'ser' vs. 'estar' question. '¿Estás seguro?' means 'Are you sure (right now)?', referring to a temporary state of mind. '¿Eres seguro?' means 'Are you a confident/safe person in general?', referring to a permanent personality trait. To ask 'Are you sure?', you must always use 'estar'.
How do I ask a group of people 'Are you all sure?'
You use the plural form: '¿Están seguros?'. If the entire group is female, you would say '¿Están seguras?'. 'Están' is the form of 'estar' used for 'they' or 'you all'.
Is there a difference between '¿De verdad?' and '¿En serio?'
Functionally, they are almost identical and can be used interchangeably to mean 'Really?' or 'Seriously?'. '¿En serio?' might be slightly more common in some regions, but both are universally understood and used to express surprise.
Is it considered rude to ask '¿Estás seguro?' in Spanish?
No, it's not inherently rude. Like in English, it all depends on your tone of voice. If you say it with genuine curiosity, it's perfectly fine. If you say it with a challenging or sarcastic tone, it can be perceived as confrontational.
What's the best response if someone asks me '¿Estás seguro?'
To say yes, you can say 'Sí, estoy seguro/a' or for more emphasis, 'Sí, segurísimo/a' (I'm very sure). To say no, you can say 'No, no estoy seguro/a' or 'La verdad, no lo sé' (To be honest, I don't know).
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