Signification
Asking for confirmation.
Contexte culturel
In Romania, 'Ești sigur?' is often the start of a friendly argument. If you say you're not hungry, a Romanian grandmother will ask this at least three times before she believes you. In the Republic of Moldova, the intonation might be slightly flatter, but the phrase is used with the same frequency to verify information in a social setting. Transylvanians are stereotypically seen as more 'ardelenește' (slow/deliberate). They might use 'Ești sigur?' as a way to pause and reflect before making a decision. Among young people in Bucharest, 'Ești sigur?' is often replaced by 'Pe bune?' (For real?) in very casual contexts.
The Gender Rule
Always look at the person you are talking to. Man = Sigur. Woman = Sigură.
Formal vs Informal
Don't use 'Ești' with strangers. Use 'Sunteți' to be safe and polite.
Signification
Asking for confirmation.
The Gender Rule
Always look at the person you are talking to. Man = Sigur. Woman = Sigură.
Formal vs Informal
Don't use 'Ești' with strangers. Use 'Sunteți' to be safe and polite.
Adding 'Că'
To ask 'Are you sure that...', just add 'că'. E.g., 'Ești sigur că plouă?'
The 'Hospitality' Check
If someone says 'Ești sigur?' after you refuse food, they are being nice, not doubting your sanity!
Teste-toi
You are talking to your female friend, Maria. Which one do you say?
Maria, ______ că vrei să mergi?
Since Maria is female and a friend, you use the feminine informal form 'sigură'.
Complete the formal question to your boss.
Domnule Director, ______ sigur că ședința este la ora 10?
With a boss (Domnule Director), you must use the formal 'Sunteți'.
Match the phrase to the person you are talking to.
1. Ești sigur? | 2. Ești sigură? | 3. Sunteți sigur?
Informal masculine for brother, informal feminine for cousin, formal for a stranger.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Plec în vacanță în Antarctica. B: ______? E foarte frig acolo!
B is asking for confirmation of A's surprising plan.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
The Four Forms of Sigur
Masculine
- • Singular: Ești sigur?
- • Plural: Sunteți siguri?
Feminine
- • Singular: Ești sigură?
- • Plural: Sunteți sigure?
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMaria, ______ că vrei să mergi?
Since Maria is female and a friend, you use the feminine informal form 'sigură'.
Domnule Director, ______ sigur că ședința este la ora 10?
With a boss (Domnule Director), you must use the formal 'Sunteți'.
1. Ești sigur? | 2. Ești sigură? | 3. Sunteți sigur?
Informal masculine for brother, informal feminine for cousin, formal for a stranger.
A: Plec în vacanță în Antarctica. B: ______? E foarte frig acolo!
B is asking for confirmation of A's surprising plan.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, in very casual speech, you can just say 'Sigur?' with a rising intonation. It's like saying 'Sure?' in English.
'Sigur' is an adjective (sure). 'Desigur' is an adverb (of course). You ask 'Ești sigur?' but answer 'Desigur!'.
Use the plural: 'Sunteți siguri?'
Not usually, but it depends on your tone. If you sound angry, it can be seen as questioning someone's honesty.
You can say 'Ești sută la sută sigur?' or 'Ești absolut sigur?'.
Yes, 'un loc sigur' means 'a safe place'.
If you are a woman, they are using the correct feminine form of the adjective.
Yes, but use 'Sunteți sigur(ă)' if it's a professional email.
The opposite is 'nesigur' (unsure/unsafe).
'Pe bune?' is the most common slang equivalent.
Expressions liées
Sigur că da
builds onOf course / Certainly
Ești convins?
similarAre you convinced?
Nu sunt sigur
contrastI am not sure
Desigur
synonymOf course
Ești pe bune?
specialized formAre you for real?
