確かに
tashikani
The Japanese word for indeed is 確かに (tashikani).
確かに is used as an indication of agreement to mean indeed. It can also be used to mean certainly when expressing a high degree of conviction about a fact.
Meaning: indication of agreement (intj)
What does it mean word for word?
確かに is the adverbial form of the adjective 確か, meaning 'certainly' or 'surely'.
Which one should you use?
実に is more formal and holds a stronger emphasis on the truthfulness or reality of a statement, whereas まさに can be used to convey "indeed" in a formal manner, signifying that something is precisely or exactly as stated.
How do you pronounce it?
tashikani
Did you know?
- The word 確か (the root of 確かに) can also mean 'perhaps' or 'if I remember correctly' depending on the context and particles used. This creates a linguistic tension where the same word can express both certainty and a tentative guess.
- The kanji 確 in 確かに contains the radical for 'stone', which historically evokes the idea of something being as solid and unmoving as a rock.
- When using 確かに to agree with someone, it often functions as a 'backchannel' or 'aizuchi'. This is a crucial part of Japanese conversation where you constantly signal that you are listening and processing the information.
Examples in context
- 確かに、間違ってるかもしれませんね。It may, indeed, be a mistake.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of 確かに when admitting a possibility.Tatoeba #9453371 by bunbuku, translation #36254 by CM
- 「最近毎日どっかで殺人事件起きてない？」「確かに。物騒な世の中だね」"It seems that these days there's a murder somewhere every day." "Indeed. It's a dangerous world, isn't it?"This example shows how to use 確かに to express agreement in a conversation.Tatoeba #3714907 by tommy_san, translation #3721225 by JimBreen
- 父はわたしたちに、それは確かに本当だと言った。My father told us that it is indeed true.This sentence demonstrates how 確かに can be used to confirm that something is true.Tatoeba #1192005 by mookeee, translation #10906051 by SomeHungryBois
- 彼の提案は確かに優れています。His proposal is indeed excellent.
- 彼の演技は実に素晴らしかったです。His performance was indeed fantastic.
- この結果はまさに予想通りです。This result is indeed as expected.
- 本当にその意見に賛成です。I indeed agree with that opinion.
- 彼は本当に頑張っているんですよ。He is indeed working hard, you know.
Example conversation
Hiyori and Ren are discussing a movie they just watched.
- 陽葵 Himariこの映画、結末が意外でしたね。Kono eiga, ketsumatsu ga igai deshita ne.The ending of this movie was unexpected, wasn't it?
- 蓮 Ren確かに。予想外の展開でした。Tashika ni. Yosōgai no tenkai deshita.Indeed. It was an unexpected development.
- 陽葵 Himari音楽もすごく素晴らしかったと思います。Ongaku mo sugoku subarashikatta to omoimasu.I think the music was also wonderful.
- 蓮 Renそれはいいですね。Sore wa ii desu ne.That's true.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
