Inklingo

How to Say "certainly" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “certainly” is “seguro” — use 'seguro' informally to express strong, confident agreement or certainty about a future event, often as a standalone confirmation or in phrases like 'seguro que'.

seguro🔊B1

Use 'seguro' informally to express strong, confident agreement or certainty about a future event, often as a standalone confirmation or in phrases like 'seguro que'.

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absolutamente🔊A1

Use 'absolutamente' for the strongest possible confirmation, meaning 'absolutely' or 'completely', to leave no room for doubt.

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naturalmente🔊A2

Use 'naturalmente' in more formal situations to indicate that something is obvious, expected, or goes without saying, similar to 'naturally' or 'of course'.

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seguramente🔊A2

Use 'seguramente' to express a high probability or strong likelihood about something, implying it's very likely to happen, similar to 'surely' or 'probably'.

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ciertamente🔊B1

Use 'ciertamente' to express firm conviction or agreement, conveying a sense of definite truth or certainty, often in a slightly more formal or emphatic way than 'seguro'.

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indudablemente🔊B2

Use 'indudablemente' to emphasize that a statement is beyond any doubt, highlighting its absolute certainty and undeniability, like 'undoubtedly' or 'without a doubt'.

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English → Spanish

seguro

seh-GOO-rohseˈɣu.ɾo

adverbB1informal
Use 'seguro' informally to express strong, confident agreement or certainty about a future event, often as a standalone confirmation or in phrases like 'seguro que'.
A person pointing at something off-screen with a look of certainty and discovery on their face.

Examples

Seguro que hoy hace sol.

It will surely be sunny today.

Seguro que llueve mañana.

It'll surely rain tomorrow.

Si no estudias, seguro suspendes el examen.

If you don't study, you'll probably fail the exam.

De seguro nos vemos en la fiesta.

We'll surely see each other at the party.

Doesn't Change Form

When used this way to mean 'surely', 'seguro' never changes. It always stays 'seguro', no matter who you're talking about.

absolutamente

ab-soh-loo-tah-men-tayaβsoluˈtamente

adverbA1
Use 'absolutamente' for the strongest possible confirmation, meaning 'absolutely' or 'completely', to leave no room for doubt.
A friendly, stylized hand gives a firm and enthusiastic thumbs-up gesture, indicating strong agreement or affirmation.

Examples

¿Te gusta mi nuevo corte de pelo? — ¡Absolutamente!

Do you like my new haircut? — Absolutely!

¿Crees que podemos terminar esto hoy? — ¡Absolutamente!

Do you think we can finish this today? — Absolutely!

¿Estás de acuerdo con el plan? — Absolutamente, no hay otra opción.

Do you agree with the plan? — Definitely, there is no other option.

The Strong 'Yes'

When used alone, 'absolutamente' is a very strong and confident way to say 'yes' or confirm something, much stronger than a simple 'sí'.

naturalmente

nah-too-rahl-MEHN-tehna.tu.ralˈmen.te

adverbA2formal
Use 'naturalmente' in more formal situations to indicate that something is obvious, expected, or goes without saying, similar to 'naturally' or 'of course'.
A cartoon hand giving a clear thumbs up gesture against a solid background, symbolizing agreement or confirmation.

Examples

¿Vienes a la fiesta? — ¡Naturalmente!

Are you coming to the party? — Of course!

¿Vas a venir a la cena? — ¡Naturalmente!

Are you coming to dinner? — Of course!

Necesitas estudiar para el examen. Naturalmente, si quieres aprobar.

You need to study for the test. Naturally, if you want to pass.

Si llueve, naturalmente, tendremos que cancelar el picnic.

If it rains, obviously, we will have to cancel the picnic.

Placement in the Sentence

This word is flexible. It can go at the beginning or end of a sentence, or even interrupt the middle, to add a tone of certainty or obviousness.

seguramente

seh-goo-rah-MEN-tehse.ɣu.ɾaˈmen.te

adverbA2
Use 'seguramente' to express a high probability or strong likelihood about something, implying it's very likely to happen, similar to 'surely' or 'probably'.
A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration of a traditional wooden balance scale. The right side is heavily weighted down by a large, brightly colored stone, causing the scale to be tipped sharply down, visually representing high likelihood.

Examples

Si estudias mucho, seguramente aprobarás el examen.

If you study hard, you will surely pass the exam.

Si salimos ahora, seguramente llegaremos a tiempo.

If we leave now, we will probably arrive on time.

¿Viene María a la fiesta? Seguramente.

Is María coming to the party? Surely (Probably).

El presidente seguramente dará un discurso sobre este tema mañana.

The president will certainly give a speech about this topic tomorrow.

Adverb Placement

Like many Spanish adverbs, 'seguramente' can start the sentence, appear before the verb, or appear after the verb. Placing it at the start usually emphasizes the possibility.

Probability and Verb Forms

When 'seguramente' is used to express probability (not 100% certainty), advanced speakers sometimes use the special verb form (subjunctive), especially when it starts the sentence: 'Seguramente sea difícil' (It's probably difficult).

Confusing Adverb and Adjective

Mistake: “Trying to use *seguramente* to describe a person or object (e.g., 'El coche es seguramente').”

Correction: Use the adjective *seguro* ('El coche es seguro' - The car is safe), or use *seguramente* to modify an action ('Seguramente conduciré' - I will probably drive).

ciertamente

syair-tah-MEN-tayθjeɾtaˈmente

adverbB1
Use 'ciertamente' to express firm conviction or agreement, conveying a sense of definite truth or certainty, often in a slightly more formal or emphatic way than 'seguro'.
A cartoon figure standing firmly on a large, stable gray rock and pointing forward with a confident expression, illustrating certainty.

Examples

Ciertamente, ha sido una experiencia inolvidable.

Certainly, it has been an unforgettable experience.

Ciertamente, este es el mejor café que he probado.

Certainly, this is the best coffee I have tried.

¿Crees que ganaremos? — Ciertamente.

Do you think we will win? — Certainly (Indeed).

Ella es ciertamente la persona más cualificada para el puesto.

She is certainly the most qualified person for the position.

Always the Same

As an adverb, 'ciertamente' always stays the same regardless of who is speaking or what they are talking about (it doesn't change gender or number).

Overusing 'Ciertamente'

Mistake: “Using 'ciertamente' in every simple affirmative response.”

Correction: While correct, 'sí' or 'claro' are often more natural in casual conversation. Save 'ciertamente' for stronger emphasis.

indudablemente

een-doo-dah-blay-MEN-tayinduðableˈmente

adverbB2formal
Use 'indudablemente' to emphasize that a statement is beyond any doubt, highlighting its absolute certainty and undeniability, like 'undoubtedly' or 'without a doubt'.
A bright yellow sun shining in a clear blue sky, representing something that is definitely true.

Examples

Indudablemente, es el mejor candidato para el puesto.

Undoubtedly, he is the best candidate for the position.

Indudablemente, ella es la persona más inteligente del equipo.

Undoubtedly, she is the smartest person on the team.

El cambio climático es indudablemente un reto global.

Climate change is unquestionably a global challenge.

Esta es, indudablemente, la mejor película del año.

This is, undoubtedly, the best movie of the year.

The '-mente' Suffix

In Spanish, adding '-mente' to the end of a feminine adjective is just like adding '-ly' in English. It turns 'indudable' (undoubtable) into 'indudablemente' (undoubtedly).

Flexible Placement

You can put this word at the very beginning of a sentence to emphasize your whole point, or right before a specific description to emphasize just that part.

Spelling the ending

Mistake: “indudablement”

Correction: indudablemente. Remember that Spanish adverbs always end in -mente, not -ment like in French or -ly like in English.

Informal vs. Formal Certainty

Learners often confuse the informal 'seguro' with more formal options like 'ciertamente' or 'indudablemente'. Remember that 'seguro' is best for casual conversation and strong, immediate affirmations, while the others add more weight or formality to a statement.

Related Translations

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