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Shirimono
GRAMMAR
確かに
certainly
surely
Explanation
NOTE

たしかに means indeed, certainly, or surely — used to acknowledge a fact before adding a contrast.

たしかにかれあたまがいい。
Certainly, he is smart.
Used to concede a point — often followed by a 'but' clause.
NOTE

It typically pairs with a contrast clause using or しかしcertainly X, but Y.

NOTE

Place 確かに at the start of a clause to acknowledge it, then follow with to introduce a counterpoint.

STRUCTURE
確かに
Clause+ が / しかし
たしかにその映画えいが面白おもしろいが、ながすぎる。
Tashika ni sono eiga wa omoshiroi ga, nagasugiru.
Certainly that movie is interesting, but it's too long.
たしかにむずかしい。しかし、できないわけではない。
Tashika ni muzukashii. Shikashi, dekinai wake de wa nai.
Indeed it's difficult. However, it's not impossible.
たしかに値段ねだんたかいが、品質ひんしつがいい。
Tashika ni nedan wa takai ga, hinshitsu ga ii.
Certainly the price is high, but the quality is good.
NOTE

確かに can also stand alone as a reply — agreeing with what was just said, like that's true.

STRUCTURE
確かに (standalone agreement)
たしかに、そのとおりですね。
Tashika ni, sono toori desu ne.
Indeed, that's exactly right.
たしかにきみうとおりだ。
Tashika ni, kimi no iu toori da.
Surely, it's just as you say.
たしかに、それは問題もんだいだ。
Tashika ni, sore wa mondai da.
Indeed, that is a problem.

Practice exercises

1
かれ説明せつめいすこかりにくいが、たしかに本質ほんしつとらえている。
His explanation is a little hard to understand, but it certainly captures the essence.
Answer
たしかに
2
ようするに、かれ意見いけんたしかにただしい。
In short, his opinion is certainly correct.
Answer
たしかに
3
いわゆる天才てんさいは、たしかに努力どりょくしている。
So-called geniuses are certainly making an effort.
Answer
たしかに
4
かれ病気びょうきだった。したがって、たしかに学校がっこうやすんだだろう。
He was sick. Therefore, he surely rested from school.
Answer
たしかに
5
そのデータをれば、たしかにかれ分析ぶんせき正確せいかくだ。
If you look at that data, his analysis is certainly accurate.
Answer
たしかに