Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| seguro | /seˈɡuɾo/ | |
| no dudarlo | /no dudaɾlo/ (from spelling rules) | verb |
seguro is an adjective used to describe being certain in one's knowledge or belief. Depending on the context, it can also mean 'safe' (secure). For expressing the interjection 'of course', you can use por supuesto, claro or cómo no.
Which one should you use?
While seguro can mean being certain, it can also mean 'safe' depending on how it is used in a sentence. To express the specific state of being certain, you should use the verb estar rather than ser.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term vale is commonly used to mean 'okay' or 'sure'. This word is highly prevalent in Spain and less common in Latin American countries. In some Latin American countries, especially in Mexico and Central America, seguro is often used to mean 'sure' or 'certainly'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective seguro must agree in gender and number with the person who is sure: use segura for a female, and seguros or seguras for multiple people. However, when used adverbially to mean 'certainly' or 'for sure' in a phrase like Seguro que sí, the word remains in the masculine singular form regardless of the subject.
How do you pronounce it?
/seˈɡuɾo/
Did you know?
- The word seguro can be used as a noun in Spanish to mean 'insurance'. For example, el seguro del coche refers to the car insurance.
- The word seguro shares its roots with the English word 'secure', both coming from the Latin 'securus' meaning 'without care'.
- The phrase no dudarlo comes from the verb dudar, which means 'to doubt'. To say you are sure by saying you 'do not doubt it' is a common rhetorical preference in Spanish.
Examples in context
- Tom no está seguro.Tom isn't sure.This example shows how to use the adjective seguro to describe a person's state of certainty.Tatoeba #3353688 by marcelostockle, translation #2237023 by CK
- No estoy tan seguro.I'm not so sure.This example demonstrates the use of seguro when expressing a degree of certainty.Tatoeba #5384039 by Sabir, translation #1839537 by CK
- Seguro que no viene.He's not coming for sure.This example shows how seguro can be used to mean 'for sure'.Tatoeba #6612506 by arh, translation #9371841 by DJ_Saidez
- 664 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are discussing a travel plan.
- Lucía¿Estás seguro de que el tren sale a las ocho?Are you sure the train leaves at eight?
- DanielSí, estoy muy seguro.Yes, I am very sure.
- LucíaPerfecto, entonces no hay problema.Perfect, then there is no problem.
- DanielLucía, yo siempre reviso los horarios.Lucía, I always check the schedules.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sure” translations and entries seguro, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries no, seguro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
