Meaning & Usage
✨ Basic Meaning
Certainly, surely, indeed, admittedly, true.
🎯 Primary Function
To acknowledge or admit the truth or validity of a preceding statement or fact, often used when introducing a contrasting point or adding a further observation.
📋 Grammar Structure
確かに + [Sentence/Phrase]
🎭 Usage Contexts
Formal Situations
Can be used in formal settings, particularly in discussions or debates, to respectfully acknowledge another’s point before offering a differing opinion or additional perspective.
Informal Situations
Very commonly used in casual conversation to show agreement or acknowledgement of something someone said, often followed by ‘but…’ or ‘however…’.
Written Language
Used in writing, such as essays, articles, or formal correspondence, to concede a point or emphasize a fact.
Spoken Language
Extremely frequent in spoken Japanese, serving as a conversational filler and acknowledgement marker.
💡 Common Applications
Acknowledging a point before presenting a counter-argument or exception.
This is perhaps the most common use. You agree with or acknowledge something said by the other person using 確かに, and then follow it with a conjunction like でも (demo), しかし (shikashi), or が (ga) to introduce your differing view or add a condition.
Example: 確かに彼が正しいかもしれませんが、私には納得できません。(Tashikani kare ga tadashii kamo shiremasen ga, watashi ni wa nattoku dekimasen.) – Certainly, he might be right, but I cannot accept it.
Expressing strong confirmation or realization.
Used when you realize or confirm that something is indeed true, often with a sense of agreement or discovery.
Example: あ、確かにここに置いてありました！(A, tashikani koko ni oite arimashita!) – Ah, indeed, it was placed here!
Conceding a point or fact.
Simply stating that something is true or valid, often as a response to someone else’s statement.
Example: 確かに、このレストランはいつも混んでいますね。(Tashikani, kono resutoran wa itsumo konde imasu ne.) – It’s true, this restaurant is always crowded, isn’t it?
Frequency
High frequency in daily conversation and various forms of writing.
Difficulty
Intermediate (JLPT N3) – The basic meaning is simple, but mastering the nuance of acknowledging before contrasting requires practice.
Example Sentences
確かにあなたの言う通りです。ですが、少し考えさせてください。
Certainly, you are right as you say. However, please let me think about it a little.
このケーキは確かに美味しいけれど、ちょっと高すぎるね。
This cake is certainly delicious, but it’s a little too expensive, isn’t it?
確かに彼は才能がありますが、努力も必要です。
It’s true that he has talent, but effort is also necessary.
Notes & Nuances
📌 Important Points
Acknowledging Before Contrasting
The most frequent and nuanced use of 確かに is to acknowledge the validity of a point made by someone else before presenting a contrasting idea, exception, or further perspective. This is a polite way to express partial agreement while still conveying your own view. It’s often followed by conjunctions like が, けど, でも, or しかし.
Example: 確かにそれは便利ですが、安全性に問題があります。(Tashikani sore wa benri desu ga, anzen-sei ni mondai ga arimasu.) – Certainly, that is convenient, but there is a problem with safety.
Expressing Strong Confirmation
It can also be used simply to confirm something with a high degree of certainty, similar to ‘indeed’ or ‘for sure’. In this usage, it doesn’t necessarily imply a following contrast.
Example: 私の家は、確かにあの角を曲がったところにあります。(Watashi no ie wa, tashikani ano kado o magatta tokoro ni arimasu.) – My house is certainly located right after turning that corner.
⚠️ Common Mistakes
❌ Using it for simple, unqualified agreement.
✅ While it *can* mean ‘it’s true,’ using it alone often implies there might be a follow-up point. For simple agreement, ええ, はい, or そうですね are more common.
If you just want to say ‘Yes, that’s right,’ without any reservation or contrasting point, そうですね (Sou desu ne) is usually more natural. 確かに often sets up a ‘yes, but…’ situation.
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🏛️ Cultural Context
Politeness Level: Generally polite, especially when used to acknowledge another person’s point, as it shows you’ve considered what they said before responding. It softens potential disagreement.
Social Situations: Used in various social situations, from casual chats with friends to more formal discussions. Its use helps maintain smooth communication by acknowledging others’ perspectives.
Regional Variations: Usage is standard across most regions of Japan.
🔍 Subtle Differences
確かに (Tashikani) vs. 本当に (Hontou ni)
確かに often acknowledges a fact or point, frequently leading to a contrast. 本当に simply emphasizes truth or intensity (‘really,’ ‘truly’).
When to use: Use 確かに when conceding a point or stating a fact that might have a ‘but’ coming. Use 本当に when emphasizing how true or how much something is.
確かに (Tashikani) vs. なるほど (Naruhodo)
確かに acknowledges a fact as true. なるほど expresses understanding or comprehension (‘I see,’ ‘Indeed,’ ‘That makes sense’).
When to use: Use 確かに when you agree with the truth of a statement. Use なるほど when you understand the logic or reason behind something.
確かに (Tashikani) vs. きっと (Kitto)
確かに expresses certainty based on observation or accepted fact. きっと expresses a high probability or strong conviction about a future or unconfirmed event (‘surely,’ ‘certainly,’ ‘most likely’).
When to use: Use 確かに for confirmed facts. Use きっと for predictions or strong assumptions.
📝 Conjugation Notes
確かに is an adverb and does not conjugate.
🔊 Pronunciation Tips
Pronounced ‘ta-shi-ka-ni’. The ‘shi’ and ‘ka’ syllables are straightforward. The ‘ni’ is like the ‘ni’ in ‘knee’.
🧠 Memory Tips
Think of it like the English ‘certainly’ or ‘indeed’, but with the added nuance that it often signals a ‘but’ or a follow-up point is coming. Mentally link 確かに with けど/が/でも/しかし.
Practice Exercises
Choose the best word: この本は（ ）面白いですが、少し難しいです。
きっと
確かに
たぶん
なるほど
Choose the best word: 待ち合わせ場所は（ ）ここです。
たぶん
もし
確かに
あまり
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