Meaning
Expressing strong agreement or certainty.
Cultural Background
In Spain, 'Desde luego' is extremely common in the service industry. It sounds more 'attentive' than 'Sí'. While understood, Mexicans often prefer '¡Cómo no!' or 'Por supuesto'. 'Desde luego' can sound slightly 'Spanish' (from Spain) to Mexican ears. Argentines might use 'Desde ya' in similar contexts, especially when agreeing to something that will happen immediately. In professional Spanish across all regions, 'Desde luego' is a 'safe' phrase. It avoids the over-familiarity of 'Claro' while avoiding the coldness of 'Afirmativo'.
The 'Que' Rule
If you follow 'Desde luego' with a verb, you MUST add 'que'. Example: 'Desde luego QUE vendré'.
Avoid Sarcasm
Be careful with your tone. If said flatly, it can sound like 'Obviously (duh)', which might be rude.
Meaning
Expressing strong agreement or certainty.
The 'Que' Rule
If you follow 'Desde luego' with a verb, you MUST add 'que'. Example: 'Desde luego QUE vendré'.
Avoid Sarcasm
Be careful with your tone. If said flatly, it can sound like 'Obviously (duh)', which might be rude.
The Waiter's Favorite
Use this in restaurants in Spain to sound like a local who knows the social codes.
Test Yourself
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase to show polite agreement.
—¿Me prestas tu bolígrafo un momento? —________, aquí tienes.
'Desde luego' is the standard way to say 'Of course' when granting a favor.
Which sentence uses 'desde luego' correctly as an emphatic marker?
Choose the correct option:
The first option uses 'desde luego que' to emphasize a feeling. The others incorrectly use it in a temporal sense.
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: A boss asks if you can finish a report by 5 PM.
This is the most professional and certain response.
Complete the conversation between two friends.
Ana: ¿Crees que el examen será difícil? Luis: ________, el profesor dijo que entraría todo el libro.
Luis is agreeing that it will be difficult based on the evidence.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Ways to Say Yes in Spanish
Informal
- • Claro
- • Vale
- • Sí
Neutral/Polite
- • Desde luego
- • Por supuesto
- • De acuerdo
Formal
- • Ciertamente
- • Efectivamente
- • Indudablemente
Practice Bank
4 exercises—¿Me prestas tu bolígrafo un momento? —________, aquí tienes.
'Desde luego' is the standard way to say 'Of course' when granting a favor.
Choose the correct option:
The first option uses 'desde luego que' to emphasize a feeling. The others incorrectly use it in a temporal sense.
Situation: A boss asks if you can finish a report by 5 PM.
This is the most professional and certain response.
Ana: ¿Crees que el examen será difícil? Luis: ________, el profesor dijo que entraría todo el libro.
Luis is agreeing that it will be difficult based on the evidence.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it is slightly more formal and sounds more 'educated' or 'professional'.
Absolutely. It is understood everywhere, though 'Por supuesto' is more common in some regions.
No. In modern Spanish, it only means 'of course'. Use 'luego' or 'más tarde' for 'later'.
They are 99% interchangeable. 'Desde luego' can feel a bit more emphatic in Spain.
Use 'Desde luego que no'.
Yes, as a tag for emphasis: 'Es una gran idea, desde luego'.
Yes, it's very common in formal letters and emails to confirm agreements.
No, it is an invariable phrase. It never changes.
It's a historical evolution from when 'luego' meant 'immediately'.
Yes, you will hear it in almost every Spanish-language film or series.
Related Phrases
Por supuesto
synonymOf course
Claro que sí
similarClearly yes / Of course
Sin duda
similarWithout a doubt
Desde ya
specialized formRight now / From this moment
Faltaría más
similarOf course / Don't mention it
