por supuesto
Lemma Details
Translation: of course; certainly; definitely; naturally; surely
Part of Speech: adverbial phrase
Etymology: The phrase 'por supuesto' comes from the preposition 'por' (for, by) and 'supuesto' (supposed, assumed), which derives from Latin 'suppositus', past participle of 'supponere' (to put under, to substitute). The literal meaning is 'for what is supposed/assumed', evolving to express certainty or confirmation. It's related to English 'suppose' through the Latin root.
Commonality: 95%
Guessability: 60%
Register: neutral
Mnemonics
- Think of 'supposed' in English - 'por supuesto' is like saying 'as is supposed to be' or 'as one would suppose'
- The 'su' in 'supuesto' sounds like 'sure' - helping you remember it means 'certainly'
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Antonyms
Cultural Context
This is one of the most common ways to express agreement or certainty in Spanish. It's used across all Spanish-speaking countries and is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. It's often accompanied by affirmative gestures like nodding.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'por supuesto' means 'of course/certainly', 'por cierto' means 'by the way' and is used to introduce a new topic or add information.
Notes: Both phrases begin with 'por' but serve completely different functions in conversation.
Mnemonic: 'Cierto' relates to 'certain things' you want to mention, while 'supuesto' relates to what is 'supposed' or expected.
Explanation: 'Por supuesto' expresses certainty, while 'supuestamente' means 'supposedly' and expresses doubt or hearsay.
Confused word:
Él es supuestamente inocente.
He is supposedly innocent.
Notes: Both come from the same root but have nearly opposite meanings in terms of certainty.
Mnemonic: Add '-mente' (like English '-ly') to change certainty to uncertainty.