確かに: 'Certainly' / 'It's True That...' (N3 Grammar)
What it means
確かに is an adverb built from 確か ("certain, sure") plus に. It does two related jobs:
- Affirming / agreeing — "certainly," "indeed," "for sure." You confirm that something is true.
- Conceding — in the pattern 確かに〜が／けど／けれど, you grant that one thing is true in order to counter it with something else.
Both come from the same core idea: you are acknowledging a fact. The difference is whether a "but" follows.
確かにそのとおりだ。
たしかに そのとおりだ。
That's certainly right.
Pure agreement — no 'but' coming.
ヤッタンの言うことは確かに正しい。
ヤッタンの いうことは たしかに ただしい。
What Yattan says is indeed correct.
確かにこのアプリは便利だが、高すぎる。
たしかに このアプリは べんりだが、たかすぎる。
It's true this app is convenient, but it's too expensive.
The concessive 確かに〜が pattern.
How to form it
確かに is an adverb, so it simply sits in front of the clause it modifies. For the concessive use, pair it with a contrastive connector.
| Use | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirm / agree | 確かに + [statement] | 確かにそうだ (that's certainly so) |
| Concede, then counter | 確かに + X + が／けど／けれど, + Y | 確かに便利だが、高い |
| Stronger contrast | 確かに + X。しかし／でも + Y | 確かに難しい。でも、やる価値はある |
In the concession pattern, 確かに flags the part you're giving ground on, and が／けど／しかし introduces your real point. Native speakers often "telegraph" a coming objection this way — when you hear 確かに, expect a but.
確かに値段は安いけど、品質がよくない。
たしかに ねだんは やすいけど、ひんしつが よくない。
It's true the price is cheap, but the quality isn't good.
モチは確かに頭がいいが、努力もしている。
モチは たしかに あたまが いいが、どりょくも している。
Mochi is certainly smart, but she works hard too.
確かに can concede a point in the other person's favor before adding to it.
先生「確かに難しい問題です。しかし、必ず解けます。」
せんせい「たしかに むずかしい もんだいです。しかし、かならず とけます。」
Teacher: 'It's certainly a hard problem. However, you can definitely solve it.'
確か (without に) is different
This is the trap. 確か on its own — usually set off at the start of a sentence — means "if I remember correctly / I think it was…" It expresses a hazy memory, not certainty. Despite sharing the kanji, it is almost the opposite feeling of 確かに.
確か、3時に会う約束だった。
たしか、さんじに あう やくそくだった。
If I remember correctly, we'd agreed to meet at three.
確か (no に) = uncertain recollection.
ヤッタンの誕生日は確か来月だったと思う。
ヤッタンの たんじょうびは たしか らいげつだったと おもう。
Yattan's birthday is next month, I think, if I recall.
Quick test: if you can replace it with "if I recall," it's 確か; if you mean "certainly / for sure," it's 確かに. The に matters.
確かに vs related expressions
- 確かに affirms something you both can recognize as true ("indeed, that's so"). It is softer and more conversational than a flat 本当に ("really").
- For expressing strong certainty about a conclusion (not agreement), N3 learners often reach for 〜に違いない ("must be, no doubt"). That's about your inference, whereas 確かに acknowledges a shared fact.
- The concessive 確かに〜が overlaps in spirit with contrast markers like ところが, but 確かに specifically front-loads a concession you're making before the turn.
Common mistakes
- Confusing 確かに with 確か. 確かに = certainly/indeed; 確か (no に) = "if I remember correctly." 確か、明日だった (I think it's tomorrow) ≠ 確かに明日だ (it's certainly tomorrow).
- Forgetting the "but" in concession. When you open with 確かに to concede, follow through with が／けど／しかし. Saying 確かに便利だ and stopping reads as plain agreement, not the concession you intended.
- Overusing it as "really." 確かに is agreement/acknowledgement, not intensity. "It's really delicious" is 本当においしい, not 確かにおいしい (which means "yes, it is indeed tasty — granting your point").
- Dropping に in writing. Because 確か and 確かに look alike, learners type 確か where 確かに is needed. Always include に when you mean "certainly."
Quick recap
- 確かに (adverb) = "certainly / indeed / it's true that…"
- Use 1: affirm / agree — 確かにそのとおりだ.
- Use 2: concede then counter — 確かに〜が／けど／しかし = "it's true that X, but…"
- 確か (no に) is different: "if I remember correctly," a hazy memory.
- When you open with 確かに to concede, deliver the "but."
Your turn
Choose 確かに or 確か, and complete the concession pattern correctly.
Start the 5-question drill →Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between 確かに and 確か?
確かに (with に) is an adverb meaning 'certainly / indeed.' 確か (without に) means 'if I remember correctly' — a hazy recollection. Example: 確か3時だった ('I think it was 3') vs 確かに3時だ ('it's certainly 3').
How does the 確かに〜が pattern work?
It concedes a point before countering: 確かに便利だが、高すぎる ('it's true it's convenient, but it's too expensive'). 確かに flags what you're granting; が／けど／しかし introduces your real point.
Is 確かに the same as 本当に?
No. 確かに is agreement or acknowledgement ('indeed, that's true'), while 本当に means 'really / truly' as an intensifier. 本当においしい = 'really delicious'; 確かにおいしい = 'yes, it is tasty' (granting your point).
Can 確かに start a sentence on its own?
Yes — as a one-word agreement, 確かに。 means 'Indeed.' / 'You're right.' It's a natural, polite way to acknowledge what someone just said.