Of course
in SpanishClaro que sí
/KLAH-roh keh SEE/
This is the most common and versatile way to say 'of course' in Spanish. It's friendly, positive, and works in almost any situation, from casual chats to polite service interactions.
Saying 'claro que sí' is a friendly and positive way to agree to a request, just like happily sharing a pen.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Por supuesto
/por soo-PWES-toh/
A very common and slightly more formal-sounding alternative to 'Claro que sí'. It translates closely to 'of course' or 'naturally' and is appropriate in any context, including professional settings.
Claro
/KLAH-roh/
The short, casual version of 'Claro que sí'. It's extremely common in everyday conversation among friends, family, and colleagues.
Cómo no
/KOH-moh NOH/
Literally 'How not?', this is a very warm and friendly way to say 'Of course!' or 'Why not?'. It implies enthusiastic agreement and willingness to help.
Desde luego
/DES-deh LWEH-goh/
This phrase means 'certainly' or 'of course' and carries a slightly more formal and emphatic tone. It's more common in Spain than in Latin America.
Pues claro
/pwes KLAH-roh/
Adding 'pues' (well) before 'claro' adds a conversational touch, like saying 'Well, of course!' or 'Obviously!'. It can be used to show that the answer is self-evident.
Obvio
/OHB-vyoh/
This is the Spanish equivalent of saying 'Obvi' or 'Duh'. It's very informal and can sometimes sound a bit blunt or sarcastic depending on the tone.
Naturalmente
/nah-too-rahl-MEN-teh/
Meaning 'naturally', this is a slightly more sophisticated way to say 'of course'. It implies that the affirmative answer is the only logical or natural one.
Sin duda
/seen DOO-dah/
Translates to 'without a doubt'. It's a strong way of saying 'of course' that emphasizes certainty.
🔑Key Words
📊Quick Comparison
Here's a quick guide to help you choose the best way to say 'of course' based on the situation.
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claro / Claro que sí | Informal/Neutral | Everyday conversations, friendly interactions, and general use. | Never, this is almost always a safe and good choice. |
| Por supuesto | Neutral/Formal | Professional settings, showing respect, or when you want to sound confident and polite. | In very casual slang-filled chats where 'claro' might fit better. |
| Cómo no | Neutral/Friendly | Enthusiastically agreeing to requests, especially in Latin America. | In Spain, where it's less common and 'claro' is preferred. |
| Desde luego | Formal | Expressing certainty in formal contexts, especially in Spain. | Casual conversations in Latin America, where it can sound a bit stiff. |
| Obvio | Very Informal | Joking with close friends when the answer is extremely obvious. | Any situation that requires politeness, respect, or formality. |
📈Difficulty Level
All the sounds in 'claro que sí' and 'por supuesto' are very easy for English speakers. The Spanish 'r' in 'claro' is a simple tap, not a difficult roll.
These are fixed phrases. You don't need to worry about conjugations or gender agreement. Just memorize them as a single unit.
The main challenge isn't saying the words, but choosing the right variation for the context, formality level, and region. Using 'obvio' with your boss would be a mistake.
Key Challenges:
- Distinguishing between the subtle formality differences of 'claro', 'por supuesto', and 'desde luego'.
- Remembering which phrases are more common in certain regions (e.g., 'cómo no' in Mexico).
💡Examples in Action
—¿Me puedes pasar la sal? —¡Claro que sí!
—Can you pass me the salt? —Of course!
—¿Podríamos posponer la reunión para mañana? —Por supuesto, no hay problema.
—Could we postpone the meeting until tomorrow? —Of course, no problem.
—Oye, ¿quieres venir al cine con nosotros? —¡Pues claro! Me encantaría.
—Hey, do you want to come to the movies with us? —Well, of course! I'd love to.
—Disculpe, ¿me podría indicar dónde está la estación? —¡Cómo no! Siga todo recto.
—Excuse me, could you tell me where the station is? —Of course! Go straight ahead.
🌍Cultural Context
The Power of Tone
Just like in English, your tone of voice is crucial. A cheerful '¡Claro!' sounds friendly and agreeable. A flat, sharp 'Claro.' can sound dismissive or sarcastic, like you're saying 'Obviously, dummy.' Always aim for a warm, positive intonation.
'Cómo no': The Welcoming 'Yes'
In many parts of Latin America, especially Mexico, 'cómo no' is more than just 'of course'. It's a marker of good service and hospitality. Hearing it from a shopkeeper or waiter feels incredibly welcoming, as if they're saying 'It would be my pleasure to help you'.
Expressions from Spain
Phrases like 'desde luego' and 'por descontado' are more frequently heard in Spain. While understood elsewhere, using them might subtly mark you as a speaker of Peninsular Spanish. They often carry a slightly more formal or serious weight than the universal 'claro'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Literal Translation Error
Mistake: "Saying 'de curso'."
Correction: Use 'claro que sí' or 'por supuesto'.
Overusing 'Por supuesto'
Mistake: "Using 'por supuesto' in very casual, rapid-fire conversations with close friends."
Correction: Use 'claro' or 'pues claro'.
Using 'Obvio' in Formal Settings
Mistake: "Replying with 'Obvio' to a boss or an older person."
Correction: Use 'Por supuesto' or 'Claro que sí'.
💡Pro Tips
Your Two Go-To Phrases
When in doubt, you can't go wrong with 'Claro que sí' or 'Por supuesto'. Master these two first. 'Claro que sí' is slightly more conversational, while 'Por supuesto' is a perfect neutral-to-formal default.
Listen for Regional Favorites
Pay attention to what native speakers around you are using. If you're in Mexico and hear 'cómo no' all the time, start incorporating it to sound more local. If you're in Spain, listen for 'desde luego'.
How to Say 'Of Course Not'
To say the opposite, the most common phrases are 'Claro que no' and 'Por supuesto que no'. They are direct, clear, and used in the same way as their positive counterparts.
🗺️Regional Variations
Mexico
'Cómo no' is a hallmark of Mexican politeness and hospitality. It's used constantly in service industries and everyday life to convey a cheerful willingness to help. It's much more common here than in other regions.
Spain
Spain uses a wider variety of formal alternatives like 'desde luego'. The phrase 'faltaría más' is also uniquely Spanish and can mean 'of course!' in response to a request, implying 'you don't even need to ask'.
Argentina
The use of 'obvio' is extremely widespread in casual, especially younger, circles. It's often said with a certain flair. 'Claro' remains the standard for all other situations.
Caribbean (e.g., Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic)
The phrases are the same as elsewhere, but the rhythm and speed of delivery are key. The enthusiastic and friendly '¡Claro que sí!' fits perfectly with the generally warm and open culture.
📱Texting & Social Media
Claro que sí
WhatsApp, social media comments, text messages.
—Vienes mañana? —Claro q si!
—You coming tomorrow? —Of course!
Obvio
Used among younger people on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp.
—La peli estuvo genial, no? —Obvi
—The movie was great, right? —Obvi
💬What Comes Next?
After you agree to help someone
¡Muchas gracias!
Thank you very much!
De nada, con gusto.
You're welcome, with pleasure.
After you confirm something is true
Ah, perfecto. Gracias por confirmar.
Ah, perfect. Thanks for confirming.
No hay problema.
No problem.
🧠Memory Tricks
This connects the Spanish word to a similar-sounding English word, making it easier to remember its meaning of certainty and affirmation.
This trick links the Spanish word to its English cognate 'supposed', creating a logical bridge to its meaning of being natural or expected.
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say you're welcome
This is the natural response after someone thanks you for doing something you agreed to with 'claro que sí'.
How to say I agree
Saying 'of course' is a form of agreement. Learning phrases like 'estoy de acuerdo' expands your ability to share opinions.
How to say no problem
This phrase often accompanies 'of course' when agreeing to a request, like 'Por supuesto, no hay problema'.
How to say okay
'Okay' ('vale', 'está bien') is another essential agreement word that you'll use in similar situations as 'claro'.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: Of course
Question 1 of 3
Your boss emails you asking if you can finish a report by Friday. What is the most appropriate response?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between 'Claro' and 'Por supuesto'?
Think of 'Claro' as 'Sure!' and 'Por supuesto' as 'Of course'. 'Claro' is more common in casual, everyday speech, while 'Por supuesto' works in any situation but can sound slightly more formal. When in doubt, both are safe choices, but 'Claro' is friendlier and more relaxed.
Can I just say 'Sí' (Yes) instead of 'Of course'?
Yes, you can, but 'Claro que sí' or 'Por supuesto' adds more enthusiasm and confirmation. Just saying 'Sí' can sometimes sound a bit blunt or low-energy, while 'Claro que sí' means 'Yes, absolutely!' and conveys more positivity.
Is 'Cómo no' ever sarcastic?
Almost never. Unlike in English where 'Why not?' can sometimes be sarcastic, 'Cómo no' in Spanish is overwhelmingly a genuine and friendly expression of willingness. It's one of the most positive phrases you can use to agree to something.
How do you say 'of course not'?
It's very simple! Just add 'no' at the end. The two most common ways are 'Claro que no' and 'Por supuesto que no'. They are the direct opposites and are used just as frequently.
Which phrase is best for a professional email?
'Por supuesto' is an excellent choice for professional writing as it is polite, clear, and universally understood. 'Desde luego' is another strong, formal option, especially if you're communicating with someone in Spain.
I heard someone say 'Faltaría más'. What does that mean?
This is a tricky phrase mostly used in Spain. In response to a request for permission ('May I sit here?'), '¡Faltaría más!' means 'Of course, please do!'. It implies the answer is so obvious you shouldn't have had to ask. However, be careful, as it can also be used to express indignation ('Well, I never!'), so context and tone are everything.
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