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17 Essential Ways To Say "Of Course" In Spanish: From Formal Business To Trending Slang

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Learning how to say "of course" in Spanish is far more complex than a simple translation. While the classic phrase *por supuesto* is a reliable standby, native speakers today, in December 2025, use a vibrant array of expressions—from polite, formal confirmations to energetic, regional slang—to convey certainty, agreement, and enthusiasm. Mastering these nuances is the key to elevating your Spanish from textbook knowledge to natural, conversational fluency, allowing you to seamlessly navigate every social and professional context. The English phrase "of course" itself carries multiple meanings, such as expressing certainty ("Of course I'll be there"), agreement ("Yes, of course"), or even a sense of the obvious ("Of course he won"). Spanish reflects this complexity with a rich vocabulary of alternatives, each with its own subtle shade of meaning and appropriate setting. This comprehensive guide will break down the 17 most essential ways to express "of course," ensuring you know exactly when to use a formal *desde luego* and when to drop a trending *dale*.

The Core Three: Formal, Classic, and Universal

These three phrases are the foundation of saying "of course" in Spanish. They are understood universally across the Spanish-speaking world and are safe to use in almost any context, though their level of formality differs.

1. Por Supuesto (The Classic Standard)

This is the most direct and textbook translation of "of course" in Spanish, translating literally to "by supposed."

  • Usage: Highly versatile. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, making it the most reliable choice.
  • Context: Use it in a business meeting, when speaking to an elder, or in any situation where you want to be polite and clear.
  • Example: ¿Puede ayudarme con mi equipaje? — ¡Por supuesto! (Can you help me with my luggage? — Of course!)

2. Claro (The Casual Go-To)

Meaning "clear" or "clearly," *Claro* is the most common and widely used informal equivalent of "of course" or "sure."

  • Usage: Informal and highly conversational. It's often used as a quick, affirmative response.
  • Context: Perfect for friends, family, or casual conversation. It conveys a sense of obviousness or quick agreement.
  • Example: ¿Vienes al cine esta noche? — ¡Claro! (Are you coming to the movies tonight? — Sure/Of course!)

3. ¡Claro Que Sí! (The Enthusiastic Affirmation)

This phrase adds the word *sí* (yes) to the casual *claro*, intensifying the agreement.

  • Usage: Informal to semi-formal. It's stronger than a simple *claro*, conveying genuine enthusiasm and conviction.
  • Context: Use it when you want to emphasize your agreement or certainty. It’s a very positive response.
  • Example: ¿Me acompañas a la fiesta? — ¡Claro que sí! (Will you come with me to the party? — Yes, of course!)

The Formal & Emphatic: Expressing Certainty and No Doubt

When you need to convey absolute certainty, a lack of doubt, or a more formal tone, these phrases are your best choice. They all translate closely to "certainly" or "without a doubt."

4. Desde Luego (The Elegant Alternative)

Translating to "from then/after," this is a slightly more formal and emphatic synonym for *por supuesto*.

  • Usage: Formal to semi-formal. It emphasizes the certainty of your agreement.
  • Context: Often used in written Spanish or in more elevated spoken contexts.
  • Example: Desde luego, la nueva política mejorará la eficiencia. (Of course/Certainly, the new policy will improve efficiency.)

5. Sin Duda (Without a Doubt)

This phrase literally means "without a doubt" and is a powerful way to express absolute certainty.

  • Usage: Formal and emphatic. It’s excellent for conveying strong conviction.
  • Context: Use it when confirming a fact or giving a strong opinion.
  • Example: Sin duda, es el mejor restaurante de la ciudad. (Without a doubt, it’s the best restaurant in the city.)

6. Efectivamente (Indeed/Effectively)

A formal and precise term used to confirm that something is true or correct.

  • Usage: Formal, often used in professional or analytical discussions.
  • Context: Responding to a statement that you agree with completely.
  • Example: ¿Quiere decir que el informe está completo? — Efectivamente. (You mean the report is complete? — Indeed/Precisely.)

7. Ciertamente (Certainly/Truly)

A slightly more literary or formal way to express certainty, similar to *efectivamente*.

  • Usage: Formal and less common in daily conversation, but highly effective for written communication.
  • Context: Used to confirm a truth or a point of view.

The Regional & Slang Expressions: Sounding Like a Native Speaker

To truly sound current and natural, you must be aware of the regional and slang variations that function as "of course." These are especially prevalent in Latin American countries and Spain.

8. Cómo No (Why Not/Of Course)

Literally translating to "how no," this phrase is widely used across Latin America, especially in Mexico, and carries the meaning of "why not?" or "of course."

  • Usage: Informal and friendly. It suggests that the request or statement is a matter of course.
  • Context: A very common, warm, and natural way to agree.
  • Example: ¿Me pasas la sal? — ¡Cómo no! (Can you pass me the salt? — Of course!)

9. Vale (Spain's All-Purpose Agreement)

In Spain, *vale* is the ubiquitous term for "okay," "alright," "sure," or "of course."

  • Usage: Extremely common and informal in Spain. It serves as a quick confirmation.
  • Context: Used to acknowledge and agree to almost anything.
  • Example: Nos vemos a las cinco, ¿vale? — ¡Vale! (We'll see each other at five, okay? — Sure!)

10. Dale (The Latin American "Go For It/Sounds Good")

Popular in many parts of Latin America, particularly the Caribbean and Argentina, *dale* (from the verb *dar* - to give) means "go ahead," "sounds good," or "okay."

  • Usage: Very informal and trending, often used as an enthusiastic affirmation.
  • Context: Great for social media, texts, or fast-paced conversation.
  • Example: ¿Empezamos el proyecto ahora? — ¡Dale! (Should we start the project now? — Sounds good/Of course!)

11. Obvio (The Obvious Choice)

A direct cognate of "obvious," *obvio* is used informally, especially in Mexico and youth culture, to mean "obviously" or "of course."

  • Usage: Informal and often used with a slight tone of "isn't that obvious?"
  • Context: Casual settings with friends.
  • Example: ¿Vas a ir al concierto de Bad Bunny? — ¡Obvio! (Are you going to the Bad Bunny concert? — Obviously/Of course!)

12. Seguro (For Sure)

Meaning "sure" or "safe," *seguro* is a simple, effective, and common way to express certainty and agreement.

  • Usage: Informal and direct.
  • Context: A quick, confident way to say "for sure."
  • Example: ¿Necesitas que te recoja? — Sí, seguro. (Do you need me to pick you up? — Yes, for sure.)

Deep Slang & Highly Emphatic Expressions (Use with Caution)

These phrases are highly regional or very informal. Use them only with close friends in the appropriate country to avoid confusion or offense.

13. ¡Eso Que Ni Qué! (Mexican Slang for "You Bet!")

This highly emphatic Mexican expression is used to firmly assert that something is absolutely true.

  • Translation: That's for sure! / You bet!
  • Context: When you want to wholeheartedly agree with a strong statement.

14. La Neta (Mexican Slang for "The Truth/Seriously")

In Mexican Spanish, *la neta* means "the truth." When used as an affirmation, it conveys sincerity and certainty, functioning as a strong "absolutely" or "of course."

  • Translation: The truth / Absolutely / Seriously.
  • Context: Informal, used to emphasize the truth of a statement.

15. ¡A Huevo! (Vulgar/Strong Slang)

A very strong, vulgar slang term used primarily in Mexico and Central America to mean "Hell yeah!" or "Absolutely!"

  • Usage: Extremely informal and should be avoided in polite company.
  • Context: Used only among very close friends or to express intense excitement or certainty.

16. Clarines (Informal/Slang Alternative)

A playful, slightly older, but still used slang variation of *claro* used to mean "of course."

  • Usage: Informal, often used in a humorous or exaggerated way.

17. Definitivamente (Definitely)

A direct cognate that is a strong, yet neutral, way to express agreement and certainty.

  • Usage: Versatile, used when you want a strong "yes" without using slang.

Choosing the Right Expression for the Right Moment

The key to sounding like a native speaker is context. You wouldn't use *¡A huevo!* with your Spanish professor, nor would you use a stuffy *ciertamente* with your best friend.

For Formal Settings (Business, School, Elders): Stick to the classics that convey respect and professionalism.

  • Por supuesto
  • Desde luego
  • Sin duda
  • Efectivamente

For Casual Settings (Friends, Family, Service): Embrace the shorter, more conversational terms.

  • Claro
  • ¡Claro que sí!
  • Cómo no
  • Seguro

For Regional/Trending Slang (Youth Culture, Social Media): Use these to show your fluency, but confirm the country's usage first.

  • Vale (Spain)
  • Dale (Latin America)
  • Obvio (Mexico/Youth)
  • La neta (Mexico)
By integrating these 17 essential phrases into your vocabulary, you move beyond the single-word translation of "of course" in Spanish and gain the ability to express certainty, agreement, and enthusiasm with the precision and flair of a native speaker.
17 Essential Ways to Say
of course in spanish
of course in spanish

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