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PhrasesAgreeing and DisagreeingCerto che sì!
A1informal

Certo che sì!

Of course!

Pronunciation

'Certo' — CHER-to. Stress on the first syllable. 'Che sì' — ke-SI. The 'che' is unstressed.

When to use it

Use to confirm agreement with obvious or rhetorical questions. Often implies slight surprise that the question was even needed — 'of course, isn't it obvious?'

What it means

'Certo che sì' (certainly yes) is stronger than just 'certo'. Adding 'che sì' makes the confirmation more emphatic and sometimes adds a hint of good-humoured exasperation — as if the question shouldn't have needed asking.

Variations

Ma certo!

But of course!

'Ma certo' — adds 'ma' (but) to increase emphasis. Standard Italian enthusiastic affirmation.

Ma figurati!

Of course! (Don't even mention it!)

'Figurati' — agrees enthusiastically while dismissing the need to ask. Very warm.

Come no?!

Why not?! (Of course!)

'Come no' — literally 'how not?' — Italian rhetorical structure for emphatic affirmation

Mini Dialogue

— Posso chiederti un favore? — Certo che sì! Dimmi tutto. — Puoi coprirmi domani mattina? — Ma certo! Nessun problema.

— Can I ask you a favour? — Of course! Tell me everything. — Can you cover for me tomorrow morning? — But of course! No problem.

Cultural Note

Italian generosity in granting favours — signalled by 'certo che sì' and 'figurati' — is a social performance as well as a genuine offer. Even when someone might be slightly inconvenienced, the Italian code of friendliness requires an enthusiastic 'certo!'