Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| seguro | /seˈɡuɾo/ | |
| no dudarlo | /no dudaɾlo/ (from spelling rules) | verb |
The word seguro is used to describe being certain in one's knowledge or belief. Depending on the context, it can also mean 'safe'. For an adverbial use meaning 'surely' or 'probably', you can use seguramente. If you want to express the idea of 'not doubting it' as a verb, you can use no dudarlo. To say 'of course', you might use related phrases such as por supuesto, claro or cómo no.
Which one should you use?
While seguro primarily means 'certain', it is important to note that it can also mean 'safe' depending on the context of your sentence. When used as an adverb in phrases like seguro que… to mean 'for sure' or 'certainly', the word remains in the masculine singular form regardless of the subject.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the phrase Vale, como no… is a regional variation used to say 'sure' in a sarcastic manner. In Mexico, the phrase Obvio, pues… serves a similar purpose for sarcastic agreement.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, seguro must agree in gender and number with the person who is certain. Use segura for a feminine subject, seguros or seguras for plural subjects.
How do you pronounce it?
/seˈɡuɾo/
Did you know?
- The word seguro is also the common noun for 'insurance'. This is because insurance provides a financial guarantee or certainty against loss.
- In Spanish, seguro can refer to a physical lock or a safety device on a weapon. This reflects the linguistic overlap between being 'certain' and being 'safe'.
- The word seguro shares its roots with the English word 'secure'. Both descend from the Latin 'securus', meaning 'free from care'.
Examples in context
- Tom no está seguro.Tom isn't sure.This sentence shows how to use the adjective to describe Tom's state of certainty.Tatoeba #3353688 by marcelostockle, translation #2237023 by CK
- No estoy tan seguro.I'm not so sure.This sentence demonstrates how to express a lack of certainty.Tatoeba #5384039 by Sabir, translation #1839537 by CK
- Seguro que no viene.He's not coming for sure.This sentence illustrates the adverbial use of the word to mean 'for sure'.Tatoeba #6612506 by arh, translation #9371841 by DJ_Saidez
- Vale, como no, eres todo un experto en eso.Sure, why not, you're quite the expert at that.
- Obvio, pues, eres la persona más puntual que conozco.Sure, obviously, you're the most punctual person I know.
- ¡Por supuesto, a nadie le importa lo que dices!Of course, nobody cares about what you say!
- ¡Claro que sí, y yo soy el rey de España!Sure, and I'm the king of Spain!
- Vale, como digas tú, eres el más inteligente de todos.Okay, as you say, you're the smartest of them all.
- 664 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are discussing if a shop is open.
- Javier¿Estás seguro de que abren hoy?Are you sure they are open today?
- MaríaNo estoy segura, pero creo que sí.I am not sure, but I think so.
- JavierÉl dijo que estaba seguro de la hora.He said he was sure about the time.
- MaríaEntonces vamos, no hay que dudarlo.Then let's go, there is no need to doubt it.
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.
