certain
gb/sˈɚtən/ us/sˈɚtən/
B1
English
~ 500
biztos, bizonyos, elkerülhetetlen
B1
1
biztos
A2
Usage pattern:
[someone] is certain (that) [clause]
I’m certain we left the keys on the table.
Biztos vagyok benne, hogy az asztalon hagytuk a kulcsokat.
She’s certain that she saw him at the party.
Biztos benne, hogy látta őt a bulin.
Are you certain this is the right address?
He seemed certain of his decision.
They are certain it will rain tomorrow.
Learner examples
I am certain this is my bag.
Biztos vagyok benne, hogy ez az én táskám.
She is certain she can help.
Biztos benne, hogy tud segíteni.
He is certain they will come.
We are certain about our choice.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'certain' with 'sure' and overuse one form; 'certain' is slightly more formal than 'sure'.
Meaning
Sure about something
Collocations
absolutely certain
|quite certain
|certain about
|certain that
Synonyms
sure (Slightly more common in everyday conversation, especially in American English.)
Antonyms
uncertain (Indicates doubt or lack of confidence about something.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Feeling sure that something is true or will happen.
Confident and sure that something is true or will happen.
B2
2
bizonyos
B1
Usage pattern:
a certain [person/thing/place]
A certain man called while you were out.
Egy bizonyos férfi keresett, amíg nem voltál itt.
We need a certain amount of time to finish.
A befejezéshez bizonyos mennyiségű időre van szükségünk.
There’s a certain charm to old houses.
She spoke with a certain authority.
Learner examples
A certain boy is waiting outside.
Egy bizonyos fiú vár odakint.
We need a certain tool for this job.
Ehhez a munkához egy bizonyos szerszámra van szükségünk.
There is a certain smell in this room.
Common mistake:
Learners may mistakenly think 'a certain' means 'any' rather than 'a specific but unnamed'.
Meaning
Specific but unnamed
Collocations
a certain amount
|a certain type
|a certain way
Synonyms
particular (Emphasizes individuality or specificity; often interchangeable but 'particular' may sound more formal.)
Antonyms
unspecified (Indicates that no specific person or thing is meant.)
Themes
communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to talk about a specific person or thing without giving details.
Referring to a specific person, thing, or group without saying exactly which one.
B2
3
biztos
A2
Failure was certain if they didn’t act quickly.
Ha nem cselekedtek gyorsan, elkerülhetetlen volt a kudarc.
With this plan, success is almost certain.
Ezzel a tervvel a siker szinte biztos.
His injury made defeat certain.
Learner examples
Rain is certain tomorrow.
Holnap biztosan esni fog.
Victory was certain for the team.
A csapat számára biztos volt a győzelem.
It is certain we will meet again.
Meaning
Inevitable or guaranteed
Collocations
certain death
|certain victory
|certain success
Synonyms
inevitable (Formal and emphasizes impossibility of avoiding something.)
Antonyms
uncertain (Implies that the outcome is not guaranteed.)
Themes
daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Something that will definitely happen.
Sure to happen; unavoidable.
Grammar
Dictionary form
certain
IPA
GB/sˈɚtən/
US/sˈɚtən/
Syllables & stress
cer - tain (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (cer)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: certain
Word family
Expressions
a certain amount of
1/ə sˈɚtən əmˈaʊnt əv/
fixed phrase
Specific but unspecified quantity
Some amount, but not said exactly how much.
Examples
- There’s a certain amount of risk involved.
- The job requires a certain amount of skill.
for certain
1/fɚ sˈɚtən/
fixed phrase
Without any doubt
Knowing something completely and without any doubt.
Examples
- I know for certain that she was there.
- We can’t say for certain what happened.
to make certain
1/tə mˈeɪk sˈɚtən/
fixed phrase
Ensure something happens or is true
To do something so that you are sure it will happen or is correct.
Examples
- Please make certain all the doors are locked.
- I checked twice to make certain we had enough tickets.