Inklingo

How to Say "confident" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “confident” is “confiado” — use 'confiado' when you feel sure about a specific future result or outcome, often implying a degree of trust in that outcome..

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confiado

kohn-FYAH-doh/konˈfjaðo/

adjectiveB1general
Use 'confiado' when you feel sure about a specific future result or outcome, often implying a degree of trust in that outcome.
A person standing tall on top of a mountain peak with their arms open wide, looking out at a sunny horizon.

Examples

Estoy muy confiado en que aprobaré el examen.

I am very confident that I will pass the exam.

El equipo se siente confiado antes del gran partido.

The team feels confident before the big game.

Feeling Sure vs. Being Trusting

When you use this word with 'estar' (to be temporarily), it means you feel confident about something specific right now. When used with 'ser' (to be permanently), it describes your personality.

Don't forget the 'en'

Mistake: “Estoy confiado que vendrá.”

Correction: Estoy confiado EN que vendrá.

seguro

/seh-GOO-roh//seˈɣu.ɾo/

adjectiveA1general
Use 'seguro' when referring to being self-assured, certain about something, or sure of oneself.
A person looking confident and sure of themselves, giving a thumbs-up.

Examples

¿Estás segura de la respuesta?

Are you sure about the answer?

Estoy seguro de que lo vi aquí.

I'm sure that I saw it here.

Es un hombre muy seguro de sí mismo.

He is a very self-confident man.

Always Use 'Estar' for Feeling Sure

To say you feel sure about something, always use the verb 'estar'. For example, 'Estoy seguro' (I am sure). Using 'ser' changes the meaning completely.

Matches the Person or Thing

Like many descriptions in Spanish, 'seguro' must change to match who or what you're talking about: 'seguro' (for masculine singular), 'segura' (feminine singular), 'seguros' (masculine plural), and 'seguras' (feminine plural).

Using 'Ser' instead of 'Estar'

Mistake: “Soy seguro que la tienda está cerrada.”

Correction: Estoy seguro de que la tienda está cerrada. You use 'estar' to talk about a temporary state or feeling, like being sure of something.

Confianza vs. Seguridad

Learners often confuse 'confiado' and 'seguro'. Remember that 'confiado' specifically relates to being confident in a future outcome, while 'seguro' is a broader term for being sure or self-assured. Don't use 'confiado' for simple certainty about a fact.

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