muy cierto
/mui θjeɾto/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'very true' is expressed in Spanish as muy cierto.
You can use muy cierto as a standalone exclamation to show strong agreement during a conversation.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of muy (very) and cierto (certain or true).
Which one should you use?
English speakers often mistakenly use muy verdad instead of muy cierto. However, verdad is a noun (truth) and cannot be modified by muy in this way, whereas cierto is an adjective (true).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, posta is a slang term used to express that something is true.
How does it change in a sentence?
If you are referring to a feminine noun (like una afirmación – a statement), the adjective must change to the feminine form muy cierta.
Did you know?
- The Argentine slang posta can function as both a confirmation that something is 'very true' and a question asking 'really?'
- The word muy has its roots in the Latin word 'multum', which is the ancestor of the English word 'much'.
- In Spanish, cierto can be used as a noun meaning 'a certain amount' or 'some', as in cierto número de personas.
Examples in context
- Esto es muy cierto.This is very true.This sentence shows how to use muy cierto to state that something is very true.Tatoeba #1683645 by marcelostockle, translation #1682948 by Spamster
- Lo que dices es muy cierto.What you are saying is very true.
- Es muy cierto lo que mencionaste.What you mentioned is very true.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are discussing a difficult news article.
- JavierLa situación actual es complicada.The current situation is complicated.
- ElenaEso es muy cierto, Javier.That is very true, Javier.
- JavierNecesitamos un plan pronto.We need a plan soon.
- ElenaTienes toda la razón.You are absolutely right.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cierto, muy, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
