1.
certainly, surely
Used to affirm something with confidence or to acknowledge a valid point.
確かにそのとおりだ。
That is certainly true.
確かに、それは難しい問題ですね。
Indeed, that is a difficult problem.
確かに値段は高いが、品質はとてもいい。
It's certainly expensive, but the quality is very good.
Concessive use: acknowledges a point before contrasting.
2.
if I remember correctly
Used when recalling something from memory that one believes to be accurate.
確か三時からだった。
It was from three o'clock, if I remember correctly.
Without に: 確か means 'if I remember correctly.'
確か、彼は大阪出身だったと思う。
If I remember correctly, I think he was from Osaka.
あの店は確か駅の近くにあったはずだけど、場所がよく思い出せない。
I'm pretty sure that shop was near the station, but I can't quite remember the exact location.
確かに is the adverbial form of 確か (certain). It has two main uses.
USAGE 1 - Affirmation:
When used to affirm something with certainty. Often appears at the beginning of a sentence to acknowledge a valid point.
- 確かに、そのとおりです: Indeed, that's right
- 確かに難しい: It's certainly difficult
USAGE 2 - Concession:
Acknowledges a point before introducing a contrasting idea (like "certainly...but...").
- 確かに高いが、品質がいい: It's certainly expensive, but the quality is good
CONTRAST:
- 確か (without に): "if I remember correctly" - expresses uncertainty
- 確かに: expresses certainty or acknowledgment
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 本当に: really (emphasizes truth)
- もちろん: of course (stronger certainty)
Related Words
Related:
本当に (really)