Certes

Certes is a French adverb used to mean certainly, indeed, or to acknowledge a point before adding a qualification. It functions as a discourse marker in formal or literary contexts, signaling both agreement with a point and the presence of a subsequent reservation or contrast. In everyday speech, it can sound formal or old-fashioned, with speakers more often opting for biensûr or certainement.

Etymology and related terms: Certes derives from the Latin certus, meaning certain or fixed, and entered French through Old French. It shares its root with related words in Romance languages and with the English cognate “certain.” The word can appear in various tones, from solemn to argumentative, depending on context.

Usage and nuance: Certes is commonly placed at the beginning of a clause or sentence, often followed by a comma, to concede a point before continuing. For example: “Certes, il a fait des progrès, mais il reste des défis.” It can also introduce a concession that is tempered by a subsequent judgment, as in: “Certes, cela est vrai; toutefois cela ne suffit pas.” The nuance is one of measured agreement coupled with a conditional or opposing point.

In contrast to more neutral or casual equivalents, such as bien sûr or certainement, cert es conveys a formal or literary register. It is widely used in written French—essays, journalism, literature—and in formal spoken French, though it may appear occasionally dated in casual conversation.

See also: certitude, certifier, certain, bien sûr.