That's right
in SpanishAsí es
/ah-SEE ess/
This is the most direct and universally understood translation for 'That's right' or 'That's how it is.' It's a simple, neutral way to confirm a statement or situation.
Confirming information is a key part of any conversation. Using phrases like 'Así es' or 'Correcto' shows you understand and agree.
💬Other Ways to Say It
Correcto
/koh-RREK-toh/
A very common and straightforward way to say 'Correct.' It's used to confirm that a piece of information, like an answer or a fact, is accurate.
Exacto
/ek-SAHK-toh/
Meaning 'Exactly,' this is a slightly more emphatic way to confirm something. It implies that the person has hit the nail on the head with perfect precision.
Claro
/KLAH-roh/
This means 'Of course' or 'Clearly' and is used as an enthusiastic way to say 'That's right!' It implies the answer is obvious and you agree wholeheartedly.
Es verdad
/ess vehr-DAHD/
This translates to 'It's true' or 'That's true.' It's used to affirm the truthfulness of a statement or observation someone has made.
De acuerdo
/deh ah-KWEHR-doh/
While it literally means 'In agreement,' this is often used to confirm a plan, suggestion, or opinion, functioning like 'That's right' in that context.
Eso es
/EH-soh ess/
This means 'That's it.' It's used to confirm you've found the right thing or someone has correctly identified something.
Justo
/HOOS-toh/
Similar to 'Exacto,' this means 'Precisely' or 'Just so.' It's a strong confirmation that something is perfectly correct.
Cierto
/SYEHR-toh/
Meaning 'True' or 'Right.' It's a slightly more thoughtful or formal way to acknowledge the validity of a point, similar to 'Es verdad.'
🔑Key Words
Key Words to learn:
📊Quick Comparison
Choosing the right phrase depends on whether you're confirming a fact, agreeing with an opinion, or showing enthusiasm. Here’s a quick guide:
| Phrase | Formality | Best For | Avoid When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Así es | Neutral | General, neutral confirmation of a situation or statement. | You want to show strong enthusiasm or personal agreement. |
| Correcto | Neutral | Confirming objective facts, answers, or data. | Agreeing with a subjective opinion; 'De acuerdo' is better. |
| Exacto | Neutral | Emphatically confirming that someone is perfectly right. | The information is only partially right or you have reservations. |
| Claro que sí | Casual/Informal | Showing enthusiastic agreement, especially for obvious things. | A very formal or serious setting where enthusiasm may seem out of place. |
| De acuerdo | Neutral | Agreeing with a plan, suggestion, or opinion. | Confirming a simple, objective fact; 'Correcto' is more direct. |
📈Difficulty Level
Most sounds are straightforward for English speakers. The single 'r' in 'correcto' is a quick tap of the tongue, which can take a little practice but is not overly difficult.
These are fixed phrases. You don't need to worry about conjugations or complex sentence structures to use them correctly.
The main challenge is not in the language itself, but in choosing the most appropriate response from the many options depending on the context (e.g., fact vs. opinion, neutral vs. enthusiastic).
Key Challenges:
- Choosing the right variation for the context.
- Mastering the tapped 'r' sound in 'correcto' and 'claro'.
💡Examples in Action
—Entonces, ¿la reunión es mañana a las 10? —Sí, así es.
—So, the meeting is tomorrow at 10? —Yes, that's right.
—Tu nombre es Ana, ¿verdad? —Correcto.
—Your name is Ana, right? —Correct.
—Creo que la mejor solución es hablar directamente con él. —Exacto, no hay otra forma.
—I think the best solution is to talk directly with him. —Exactly, there's no other way.
—¿Vienes a la fiesta esta noche? —¡Claro que sí!
—Are you coming to the party tonight? —Of course!
—Este restaurante es increíble, pero siempre está lleno. —Es verdad, hay que reservar.
—This restaurant is incredible, but it's always full. —That's true, you have to make a reservation.
🌍Cultural Context
Fact vs. Opinion
Spanish speakers often make a subtle distinction between confirming a fact and agreeing with an opinion. 'Correcto' is for facts ('The capital of Peru is Lima.' 'Correcto.'), while 'De acuerdo' is for opinions or suggestions ('We should visit Lima.' 'De acuerdo.').
The Power of Enthusiasm
Expressions like '¡Claro!' or '¡Claro que sí!' are very common in everyday Spanish conversation. Using them shows you're engaged, friendly, and enthusiastic. Don't be shy about adding a little energy to your agreements!
Nodding isn't always enough
In many Spanish-speaking cultures, conversations are very interactive. Simply nodding your head might not be enough to show you're following along. Using short confirmation words like 'Así es,' 'Claro,' or 'Ajá' is a key part of sounding like a native speaker.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Derecho' for 'Right'
Mistake: "A common mistake is translating 'right' literally to 'derecho.' For example, saying 'Estás derecho' to mean 'You are right.'"
Correction: Use 'Tienes razón' (You have reason / You are right) or 'Es correcto' (That is correct).
Overusing 'Sí'
Mistake: "Only using 'Sí' (Yes) to agree or confirm everything."
Correction: Vary your responses with 'Correcto,' 'Así es,' 'Claro,' etc.
Confusing 'Ser' and 'Estar'
Mistake: "Saying 'Soy correcto' instead of 'Estoy en lo correcto' or 'Tengo razón.'"
Correction: To say 'I am correct,' use 'Estoy en lo correcto' or 'Tengo razón.' For a thing or fact, use 'Es correcto.'
💡Pro Tips
Match the Speaker's Energy
Pay attention to the other person's tone. If they ask a simple, factual question, a calm 'Correcto' or 'Así es' is perfect. If they make an excited suggestion, respond with an energetic '¡Claro que sí!'
Use Them as Conversational Fillers
Sprinkling phrases like 'Claro,' 'Así es,' and 'Exacto' into a conversation shows you are actively listening and engaged. They act as signals that you understand and agree, encouraging the other person to continue.
Combine for Emphasis
You can easily combine 'Sí' with these phrases for extra confirmation. 'Sí, correcto' or 'Sí, así es' are very natural ways to give a firm and clear 'yes, that's right.'
🗺️Regional Variations
Spain
'Vale' is an extremely common word for agreement, similar to 'OK,' but can be used to mean 'right' or 'got it.' 'Desde luego' is a more emphatic 'of course,' similar to 'claro que sí.'
Mexico
'Sale' is a very common, informal equivalent of 'Vale' in Spain, meaning 'OK' or 'right.' 'Órale' can be used to express enthusiastic agreement, like 'Right on!' or 'Let's do it!'
Argentina & Uruguay
'Tal cual' is extremely common, meaning 'Just like that' or 'Exactly.' 'De una' is a very casual way to say 'For sure' or 'Absolutely,' showing immediate agreement to a plan.
Caribbean (Cuba, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic)
'Ya tú sabes' (You already know) is a very common cultural phrase that functions as an affirmation or agreement. 'Dale' is used like 'OK' or 'Go for it,' confirming a plan.
💬What Comes Next?
You ask for confirmation and they agree.
Sí, así es.
Yes, that's right.
Perfecto, gracias.
Perfect, thank you.
You state an opinion and they agree with you.
De acuerdo.
I agree.
Qué bueno que pensamos igual.
Good that we think the same.
You check a detail and they confirm it emphatically.
¡Exacto!
Exactly!
¡Genial! Entonces procedo.
Great! I'll proceed then.
🧠Memory Tricks
The similar sounds between 'Así es' and the English 'Ah, see, yes' can help you remember it's a phrase of confirmation and realization.
This direct link makes 'Correcto' one of the easiest variations to remember for English speakers. If it looks correct, it probably is!
🔄How It Differs from English
English uses 'right' for many things: correctness ('that's right'), direction ('turn right'), and legal rights ('human rights'). Spanish uses different words for each: 'correcto,' 'derecha,' and 'derecho,' respectively. This separation is a key difference. Additionally, Spanish has a wider everyday vocabulary for different 'flavors' of confirmation, from the factual 'correcto' to the enthusiastic 'claro' to the agreeable 'de acuerdo.'
False Friends & Common Confusions:
Why it's different: The word 'right' in English is extremely versatile. Translating it directly can lead to errors. 'Derecho' means 'straight ahead' or a legal right, not 'correct.'
Use instead: For correctness, use 'correcto' or 'así es.' For direction, use 'a la derecha.' To say a person is right, use 'tienes razón.'
🎯Your Learning Path
➡️ Learn Next:
How to say 'I agree' in Spanish
This is a natural next step, focusing on expressing personal agreement ('Estoy de acuerdo') rather than just confirming facts.
How to say 'I don't know' in Spanish
Learning how to confirm information is great, but it's just as important to know how to say when you're not sure.
How to say 'You're right' in Spanish
This shifts the focus from the information ('That's right') to the person ('You're right'), using the key phrase 'Tienes razón.'
How to say 'of course' in Spanish
Since 'Claro' is a key variation, diving deeper into other ways to say 'of course' like 'por supuesto' is a logical progression.
✏️Test Your Knowledge
💡 Quick Quiz: That's right
Question 1 of 4
Your friend says, 'I think the movie starts at 8 PM, not 7 PM.' You check the tickets and see they are correct. What's the best response?
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'Así es' and 'Es verdad'?
They are very similar, but 'Así es' ('That's how it is') confirms the state of a situation, while 'Es verdad' ('It's true') confirms the truthfulness of a statement. You can often use them interchangeably, but 'Así es' is a bit more general, and 'Es verdad' focuses specifically on truth.
Can I just use 'Correcto' all the time?
You can, and people will understand you, but it might sound a little robotic. 'Correcto' is best for facts. Using other phrases like 'Claro' for enthusiasm or 'De acuerdo' for opinions will make your Spanish sound much more natural and fluent.
Is 'Exacto' formal or informal?
'Exacto' is neutral, so you can use it in almost any situation, from a casual chat with friends to a formal business presentation. It's a very safe and useful word to know.
How do I say 'That's NOT right'?
It's easy! You just add 'no' to the beginning of the phrases. For example, 'No es así' (That's not how it is), 'No es correcto' (That's not correct), or 'No es verdad' (That's not true).
I heard people in Spain say 'Vale' a lot. Is that the same as 'That's right'?
Sort of. 'Vale' is an all-purpose agreement word in Spain, like 'OK,' 'got it,' or 'sounds good.' It can be used to confirm you've understood something, which is similar to saying 'right.' However, 'Correcto' or 'Así es' are more direct confirmations that something is factually correct.
What's the difference between 'correcto' and 'tienes razón'?
'Correcto' refers to a piece of information being correct. 'Tienes razón' ('You have reason') refers to a person being right. You would point to a math problem and say 'Es correcto,' but you would say to your friend, 'Tú tienes razón.'
📚Continue Learning Spanish Phrases
Explore More Phrases in These Categories
Find similar phrases to expand your Spanish vocabulary:
Want to Learn More Spanish Phrases?
Browse our complete collection of Spanish phrases organized by situation, from basic greetings to advanced conversations. Perfect for travelers, students, and anyone learning Spanish.
View All Spanish Phrases →