Italian · Greetings & Essentials

"Of course" in Italian: certo / certamente

certo / certamente

Say it: CHER-tohphrase/ˈtʃɛr.to/

Of course in Italian is certo (CHER-toh) or certamente. Certo is the everyday warm yes; certamente sounds a touch more formal.

Lending a charger

Posso usare il caricatore? — Certo.
Can I use the charger? — Of course.
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How to pronounce certo / certamente

Say it

CHER-toh

/ˈtʃɛr.to/

Certo stresses CHER: CHER-toh. Certamente is cher-tah-MEN-teh.

"Of course" in Italian: quick reference

ItalianEnglish
certoof course

Default spoken reply.

certamentecertainly / of course

Slightly more formal.

ma certobut of course

Warm, slightly emphatic.

certo che sìof course yes

Clear agreement.

How to use certo / certamente in real life

  1. 1Lending a charger

    Posso usare il caricatore? — Certo.

    Can I use the charger? — Of course.

    Short certo as a full answer.

  2. 2Work email tone

    Certamente, ti mando il file oggi.

    Of course, I'll send you the file today.

    Certamente in a polished reply.

  3. 3Friends making plans

    Vieni al cinema? — Ma certo!

    Coming to the movies? — Of course!

    Ma certo adds warmth.

Mistakes English speakers make with certo / certamente

Incorrect: Di corso vengo.

Correct: Certo, vengo.

Of course is certo / certamente, not di corso.

Incorrect: Certamente che no sempre.

Correct: Certo che no.

Keep certo che no short for of course not.

Good to know

Certo is friendlier than a flat sì. In shops, certo often means happy to help, not just logical agreement.

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Asking a friend for a quick favor

  1. ChatPal

    Mi tieni il posto in fila un secondo?

    Can you hold my spot in line a second?

  2. You

    Certo, stai tranquillo.

    Of course, no worries.

  3. ChatPal

    Grazie. Torno subito.

    Thanks. I'll be right back.

  4. You

    Certamentenon mi muovo.

    Of course — I'm not moving.

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"Of course" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Of course" in Italian

Is certo or certamente more common?

Certo in speech; certamente in careful or written replies.

Can certo mean sure?

Yes — it covers of course and sure.

How do I say of course not?

Certo che no.

Is of course like per favore?

No. Per favore is please; certo is agreement.

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