Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| verdadero | /beɾdaˈdeɾo/ |
| cierto | /ˈθjeɾto/ /ˈsjeɾto/ |
| verídico | /beˈɾidiko/ |
| verífico | /beɾifiko/ (from spelling rules) |
| vero | /ˈbeɾo/ |
The various forms of 'true' in Spanish are used to describe whether a statement is factually correct, whether an object is authentic or whether an account is based on facts. You can use the phrase es cierto que to mean 'it is true that' when introducing a factual clause.
Which one should you use?
While all these words relate to truth, they have specific nuances. cierto is the most common way to refer to the truthfulness of a statement or fact. In contrast, verdadero often means 'genuine' or 'real', such as when describing an authentic item. verídico is a formal term used specifically to describe accounts, testimonies or stories that are strictly based on facts. Other forms provided include verífico and vero.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adjectives in Spanish must agree with the nouns they modify. For example, the form cierto changes to cierta when modifying a feminine noun and to ciertos when modifying masculine plural nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/beɾdaˈdeɾo/
Did you know?
- In some contexts, using cierto before a noun can function like the English 'a certain', such as in cierto hombre meaning 'a certain man'.
- The word cierto shares the same Latin root, certus, as the English word 'certain', both meaning 'fixed' or 'settled'.
- While verdadero means 'true', the noun verdad is often used alone as an interjection to ask 'Really?' or 'Is that so?', usually as ¿Verdad?
Examples in context
- Eso no es cierto.That's not true.This sentence is useful for expressing that a statement is not true using cierto.Tatoeba #1284272 by marcelostockle, translation #954334 by CK
- Sé que es cierto.I know it's true.This sentence is useful for expressing certainty about a truth using cierto.Tatoeba #7842049 by arh, translation #2376080 by CK
- Esto no es cierto.This is not true.This sentence is useful for expressing that a specific thing is not true using cierto.Tatoeba #1205683 by marcelostockle, translation #370573 by saeb
- Es verdadero.It is true.
- Es completamente cierto.It is completely true.
- Tus palabras son exactas.Your words are accurate.
- La información es acertada.The information is correct.
- ¡Es verdad!It's true!
- ¿Cierto?Right?
- ¡De verdad!Seriously!
- Es absolutamente cierto.It is absolutely true.
- 305 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Javier are discussing a news story.
- Elena¿Crees que este artículo es verdadero?Do you think this article is true?
- JavierNo lo sé, parece una mentira.I don't know, it seems like a lie.
- ElenaYo creo que el relato es verdadero.I think the account is true.
- JavierTienes razón, hay muchas pruebas.You are right, there is a lot of evidence.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “true” translations and entries verdadero, cierto, verídico, vero, 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 cierto, verdadero, verídico, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
