확실해요?
hwaksilhaeyo?
In Korean, "are you sure?" is expressed as 확실해요? (hwaksilhaeyo?)
This phrase is used to ask if someone is certain about a fact or a decision.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the adjective 확실하다 (to be certain/sure) and the polite ending –해요.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
확실합니까? and 확실한가요? are formal ways to ask this. For casual settings, you can use the informal 확실해? or 정말이야?, the latter of which can also mean "Really?"
How does it change in a sentence?
In Korean, the subject "you" is often omitted when it is clear from the context who is being addressed.
How do you pronounce it?
hwaksilhaeyo?
Did you know?
- While 확실해요? focuses on factual certainty, Koreans often use 진심이에요? to ask 'Are you sure?' when questioning someone's emotional sincerity or the truth of a surprising promise.
- In many contexts, asking 확실해요? can sound like a direct challenge to the other person's competence. To avoid sounding confrontational, it is often better to use indirect phrasing or softer sentence endings.
- The word 확실 is a Sino-Korean word derived from Chinese characters meaning 'firm' and 'clear', reflecting a linguistic preference for Chinese roots when discussing logic and certainty.
Examples in context
- 네, 확실합니다.Yes, I am sure.
- 오늘은 진짜 시험일 맞아?Today is the actual exam day, right?
- 그 계획이 확실해요?geu gyehoegi hwaksilhaeyo?Is that plan certain?
- 내일 가는 거 확실해요?naeil ganeun geo hwaksilhaeyo?Are you sure we are going tomorrow?
Example conversation
Dohyun and Subin are discussing a change in their travel plans.
- 도현 Do-hyeon수빈 씨, 내일 비행기가 확실해요?Subin-ssi, naeil bihaenggiga hwaksilhaeyo?Subin, are you sure about the flight tomorrow?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 예약 확인했어요.ne, yeyak hwaginhaesseoyo.Yes, I confirmed the reservation.
- 도현 Do-hyeon정말 확실해요?jeongmal hwaksilhaeyo?Are you absolutely sure?
- 수빈 Su-bin네, 걱정하지 마세요.ne, geokjeonghaji maseyo.Yes, please don't worry.
