German · Emotions & Descriptions

"Sure (certain)" in German: sicher

sicher

Say it: ZIKH-eradjective/ˈzɪçɐ/

Sure in the sense of certain is sicher. Say Bist du sicher? or Ich bin mir sicher. Na sicher! works as a confident yes. This is not the safety-only reading alone.

Double-checking a time

Bist du sicher, dass der Zug um neun fährt?
Are you sure the train leaves at nine?
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How to pronounce sicher

Say it

ZIKH-er

/ˈzɪçɐ/

ZIKH-er. Soft z as ts or /z/; ich-sound in the middle; final -er light.

"Sure (certain)" in German: quick reference

GermanEnglish
sichersure / certain

Core adjective.

Ich bin mir sicherI'm sure

Certainty.

Bist du sicher?Are you sure?

Check.

Na sicher!sure! / of course!

Confident yes.

How to use sicher in real life

  1. 1Double-checking a time

    Bist du sicher, dass der Zug um neun fährt?

    Are you sure the train leaves at nine?

    Bist du sicher.

  2. 2Opinion

    Ich bin mir sicher: das ist der richtige Weg.

    I'm sure: that's the right way.

    Ich bin mir sicher.

  3. 3Quick yes

    Kommst du mit? Na sicher!

    Are you coming? Sure!

    Na sicher.

Mistakes English speakers make with sicher

Incorrect: Ich bin sure.

Correct: Ich bin mir sicher.

Use sicher.

Incorrect: sicher as only "safe" here

Correct: sicher = sure/certain on this page

Sicher also means safe, but the headword sense here is certainty.

Good to know

Na sicher! is friendly confirmation. In careful speech, Ich bin mir ziemlich sicher leaves a little room for doubt.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Confirming a meeting point

  1. ChatPal

    Wir treffen uns am Hauptbahnhof, oder?

    We're meeting at the main station, right?

  2. You

    Ja. Ich bin mir sicher, Ostausgang.

    Yes. I'm sure, east exit.

  3. ChatPal

    Bist du sicher wegen der Uhrzeit?

    Are you sure about the time?

  4. You

    Sicher. Achtzehn Uhr, wie geschrieben.

    Sure. Six p.m., as written.

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"Sure (certain)" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Sure (certain)" in German

How do you say sure / certain?

Sicher.

How do you say I'm sure?

Ich bin mir sicher.

Are you sure?

Bist du sicher?

Casual sure!?

Na sicher!

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