Gaining the ability to say “of course” in various languages can greatly enhance your communication skills and cultural understanding. Whether you’re traveling to different countries, meeting people from diverse backgrounds, or simply expanding your linguistic knowledge, knowing how to express “of course” can be extremely useful. In this guide, we will explore the formal and informal ways to say “of course” in various languages, as well as provide you with regional variations if necessary. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Saying “Of Course” in Indo-European Languages
English
Formal: Of course
Informal: Sure thing / You bet / Absolutely / You know it / No problem
Tip: In English, there are numerous informal alternatives to saying “of course.” You may choose a variation based on the context and level of informality of the conversation.
Spanish
Formal: Por supuesto
Informal: Claro / ¡Cómo no! / Pues claro
Tip: Por supuesto carries a polite tone in Spanish, while the informal alternatives provide a friendly and casual feel in conversations.
French
Formal: Bien sûr
Informal: Évidemment / Naturellement
Tip: Bien sûr is commonly used in formal situations, while évidemment and naturellement can be used among friends or in casual conversations.
Italian
Formal: Certo
Informal: Ovviamente / Naturalmente
Tip: Certo is a versatile option suitable for both formal and informal contexts, while ovviamente and naturalmente carry a similar meaning in a casual setting.
German
Formal: Natürlich
Informal: Klar / Sicher / Selbstverständlich
Tip: Natürlich is the formal way of saying “of course” in German, while klar, sicher, and selbstverständlich are popular informal alternatives.
Saying “Of Course” in Asian Languages
Mandarin Chinese
Formal: 当然 (Dāngrán)
Informal: 当然了 (Dāngránle) / 没问题 (Méi wèntí)
Tip: 当然 (dāngrán) is the standard way to say “of course” in Mandarin Chinese, while 当然了 (dāngránle) and 没问题 (méi wèntí) are commonly used in informal settings.
Japanese
Formal: もちろんです (Mochiron desu)
Informal: もちろん (Mochiron) / 当然 (Tōzen)
Tip: もちろんです (mochiron desu) is the formal expression for “of course” in Japanese. For informal usage, もちろん (mochiron) and 当然 (tōzen) are more commonly used.
Korean
Formal: 물론입니다 (Mullonimnida)
Informal: 당연하지 (Dangyeonhaji) / 그럼 (Geureom)
Tip: 물론입니다 (mullonimnida) is the formal way to say “of course” in Korean, while 당연하지 (dangyeonhaji) and 그럼 (geureom) are often used informally.
Saying “Of Course” in Other Widely Spoken Languages
Arabic
Formal: طبعًا (Tab’an)
Informal: بالطبع (Bil-taba’) / تمام (Tamam)
Tip: طبعًا (tab’an) is the formal way to say “of course” in Arabic, but بالطبع (bil-taba’) and تمام (tamam) are more commonly used in informal conversations.
Russian
Formal: Конечно (Konechno)
Informal: Естественно (Yestestvenno) / Разумеется (Razumeetsya)
Tip: Конечно (Konechno) is the formal way to say “of course” in Russian, while естественно (yestestvenno) and разумеется (razumeetsya) are popular informal alternatives.
Swahili
Formal: Bila shaka
Informal: Hakika
Tip: Bila shaka is the more formal way to say “of course” in Swahili, while hakika is commonly used in informal conversations.
Exploring Regional Variations
In some cases, specific regional variations exist within a language. Here are a few examples:
Spanish – Latin America
Formal: Por supuesto
Informal (Latin America): ¡Cómo no! / ¡Claro que sí!
French – Quebec, Canada
Formal: Bien sûr
Informal (Quebec): Ben sûr
Italian – Southern Italy
Formal: Certo
Informal (Southern Italy): Certamente
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve now expanded your knowledge and vocabulary by discovering how to say “of course” in multiple languages. Remember, using these phrases appropriately in the respective cultures and contexts will help you effectively communicate and connect with people from different linguistic backgrounds. As you continue your linguistic journey, practice these expressions to become a more confident global communicator. Happy language learning!
