Inequívoco

Inequívoco is an adjective used in Spanish and Portuguese to describe something that is clear, certain, and without possibility of doubt or confusion. It indicates that a statement, piece of evidence, or conclusion leaves no room for alternative interpretations.

Etymology: The term derives from Latin in- meaning "not" and aequivocus, related to equívoco meaning "ambiguous." Inequívoco is the negation of equívoco, carrying the sense of "not ambiguous" that evolved into the modern meaning of clear and unequivocal in Iberian languages.

Usage: The word is common in formal writing across domains such as law, science, journalism, and academia. It is typically used to qualify nouns like prueba (evidence), afirmación (statement), or resultado (result) to emphasize certainty: for example, una prueba inequívoca in Spanish or uma prova inequívoca in Portuguese; una declaración inequívoca or uma afirmação inequívoca in respective usage.

Examples: La evidencia es inequívoca. A evidência é inequívoca. These phrases illustrate the core sense of the term in both languages: there is no reasonable doubt about what is being described or concluded.

Translations and related terms: In English, inequívoco is commonly translated as unequivocal or unambiguous. It is the opposite of equívoco, which denotes ambiguity or vagueness. Contextual nuances may influence whether unequivocal is interpreted as simply very clear or as requiring an absolute, perhaps strong, certainty.