(estar) certero / cierto
/esˈtaɾ θeɾˈteɾo ˈθjeɾto/word by word
To say "certain" in Spanish, you use (estar) certero / cierto.
These terms are used to express being sure, positive or not doubting. In everyday conversation, you will often find the synonym seguro to be a more common way to express being certain of a fact or your own conviction. For emphasis, you can use indudablemente to express absolute certainty, which is suitable for both formal and informal settings. If you want an informal way to express certainty, you can use the phrase de seguro.
Meaning: sure, positive, not doubting (adj)
Which one should you use?
The choice between these words depends on whether you are describing a feeling of certainty or the accuracy of an object or action. Cierto refers to being sure or to something being true. In contrast, certero is used to describe something that is accurate, precise or hits its mark, such as a shot or a guess. Additionally, when used as an adjective meaning "true" or "real", cierto is used with the verb ser.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When using the related forms of cierto as a determiner meaning "certain" (as in "a certain person"), the adjective must agree in gender with the noun it modifies: use cierto for masculine nouns and cierta for feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/esˈtaɾ θeɾˈteɾo ˈθjeɾto/
Did you know?
- The phrase por cierto is the standard way to say 'by the way' in Spanish, using the word for 'certain' to introduce a tangential thought.
- The word seguro can be used to express certainty, but it also means 'safe' or 'secure', creating a double meaning that cierto does not have.
- The word certero is often used in sports or combat to describe a 'deadly' or 'precise' strike, such as a perfect punch or a goal, regardless of whether the person felt certain about it.
Examples in context
- Estoy seguro de que el informe estará listo para mañana.I am certain the report will be ready by tomorrow.
- Esta estrategia sin duda garantizará el éxito de nuestro proyecto.This strategy will certainly ensure the success of our project.
- La evidencia presentada indudablemente prueba su culpabilidad.The evidence presented undoubtedly proves his guilt.
- ¿Vas a la fiesta esta noche? ¡Claro que sí!Are you going to the party tonight? Definitely!
- Esta serie es, sin lugar a dudas, la mejor que he visto en mucho tiempo.This series is, without a doubt, the best I have seen in a long time.
- De seguro tienes razón, ellos siempre llegan tarde.You're definitely right, they always arrive late.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “certain” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (estar, certero, cierto) and can differ in connected speech.
