Inklingo

How to Say "sure" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “sure” is “seguro” — use 'seguro' when asking or stating if someone feels certain about something, like a fact or an answer..

seguro🔊A1

Use 'seguro' when asking or stating if someone feels certain about something, like a fact or an answer.

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claro🔊A1

Use 'claro' as a casual and enthusiastic 'of course!' to agree with a request or statement.

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cierto🔊A2

Use 'cierto' to confirm that a statement or a piece of information is true or factual.

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convencido🔊A2

Use 'convencido' when someone is personally convinced or believes strongly in something happening or being true.

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fijo🔊B1

Use 'fijo' to express that something is certain or definite, often in the future.

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perfectamente🔊B1

Use 'perfectamente' as an informal way to give enthusiastic agreement, similar to 'absolutely' or 'perfectly fine'.

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confiado🔊B1

Use 'confiado' when expressing a personal feeling of confidence or certainty about an outcome.

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English → Spanish

seguro

/seh-GOO-roh//seˈɣu.ɾo/

AdjectiveA1General
Use 'seguro' when asking or stating if someone feels certain about something, like a fact or an answer.
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.

claro

/KLAH-roh//ˈkla.ɾo/

InterjectionA1Informal
Use 'claro' as a casual and enthusiastic 'of course!' to agree with a request or statement.
Two friends talking, one asks a question and the other gives an enthusiastic thumbs-up, representing '¡Claro!' as 'Of course!'.

Examples

- ¿Me ayudas? - ¡Claro!

- Can you help me? - Of course!

Claro que sí, puedes contar conmigo.

Of course, you can count on me.

Claro, lo entiendo perfectamente.

Right, I understand it perfectly.

cierto

/syerr-toh//ˈθjeɾto/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'cierto' to confirm that a statement or a piece of information is true or factual.
A vibrant image of the sun rising exactly on the horizon over a calm blue ocean, symbolizing an undeniable, fixed fact.

Examples

La historia que me contó es cierta.

The story he told me is true.

Es un hecho cierto que el sol sale por el este.

It is a certain fact that the sun rises in the east.

No estoy cierto de la hora, déjame revisar.

I'm not sure of the time, let me check.

Position Matters: Use AFTER the Noun

When you want to say something is 'true' or 'certain', 'cierto' comes after the person or thing it's describing. For example, 'una noticia cierta' is 'true news'.

Confusing 'Cierto' and 'Seguro'

Mistake: “Using 'cierto' to talk about feeling safe.”

Correction: 'Cierto' is about facts being true. 'Seguro' is for when you feel sure about something or when something is safe. Say 'Este lugar es seguro' (This place is safe), not 'cierto'.

convencido

kohm-behn-SEE-doh/kombenˈsiðo/

AdjectiveA2General
Use 'convencido' when someone is personally convinced or believes strongly in something happening or being true.
A young person standing very straight, smiling confidently, with their arms crossed, looking determined and sure about a decision.

Examples

Ella está convencida de que ganaremos el partido.

She is convinced that we will win the game.

Los científicos están convencidos de la importancia de este descubrimiento.

The scientists are certain of the importance of this discovery.

¿Estás convencido de tu decisión?

Are you sure about your decision?

Agreement is Key

As an adjective, 'convencido' must change its ending to match the person or thing it describes: 'convencido' (masculine singular), 'convencida' (feminine singular), 'convencidos' (masculine plural), 'convencidas' (feminine plural).

Using 'de'

You almost always follow 'convencido' with the word 'de' (of/about) before stating what you are convinced about: 'Estoy convencido de que...' (I am convinced that...).

Forgetting Gender

Mistake: “La jefa está convencido.”

Correction: La jefa está convencida. (The boss is feminine, so the adjective must end in -a.)

fijo

/fee-hoh//ˈfixo/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'fijo' to express that something is certain or definite, often in the future.
A bright red arrow firmly hitting the exact center of a target, symbolizing certainty and being sure.

Examples

Es fijo que vendrá a la reunión de mañana.

It is sure that he will come to tomorrow's meeting.

Ella mantuvo su mirada fija en el horizonte.

She kept her fixed/unwavering gaze on the horizon.

Adverbial Use (De fijo)

You can use the phrase 'de fijo' (or 'de fijo que...') to mean 'certainly' or 'for sure,' functioning like an adverb to emphasize certainty: 'De fijo que ganamos' (We are certainly going to win).

perfectamente

per-fekt-a-MEN-teh/peɾˌfektaˈmente/

AdverbB1Informal
Use 'perfectamente' as an informal way to give enthusiastic agreement, similar to 'absolutely' or 'perfectly fine'.
An illustration of two happy, stylized characters shaking hands firmly, both smiling broadly to show mutual and absolute agreement.

Examples

—¿Te parece bien si te llamo mañana por la mañana? —Perfectamente.

—Does it seem alright if I call you tomorrow morning? —Absolutely/Perfectly fine.

Perfectamente podemos hacer la presentación sin él.

We can easily (perfectly well) do the presentation without him.

Standalone Agreement

In conversation, '¡Perfectamente!' is used as a full sentence to mean 'That is a perfect plan!' or 'I agree completely!'

confiado

kohn-FYAH-doh/konˈfjaðo/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'confiado' when expressing a personal feeling of confidence or certainty about an 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 vs. Cierto

Learners often confuse 'seguro' and 'cierto'. Remember, 'seguro' is about feeling certain (Are you SURE?), while 'cierto' confirms a fact (That is SURE/TRUE). Use 'seguro' for questions of doubt and 'cierto' for statements of fact.

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