immersionlog

きっと・必ず・絶対に

surely; without fail; absolutely (never)

きっと + guess · 必ず + habit / promise · 絶対(に) + strong claim

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Three words of certainty, each with its own job.

きっと is a confident guess about something you don't control: 明日はきっと晴れるでしょう, "I'm sure it'll be sunny tomorrow". It pairs with だろう and と思う.

必ず means "without fail", for habits, rules and firm promises: 着いたら必ず電話して, "be sure to call when you arrive".

絶対(に) is the strongest and most emotional, and it's the only one that works with a negative: 絶対に誰にも言わないで, "don't ever tell anyone".

The classic trap: 必ず can't be used for a guess about the weather or someone else's result. That's きっと.

Examples

  • 明日あしたはきっと晴はれるでしょう。

    I'm sure it'll be sunny tomorrow.

  • 着ついたら必かならず電話でんわしてください。

    Be sure to call me when you arrive.

  • このことは絶対ぜったいに誰だれにも言いわないで。

    Don't ever tell anyone about this.

  • きっと合格ごうかくするよ。

    I'm sure you'll pass.

  • 毎朝まいあさ必かならずコーヒーを飲のむ。

    I have a coffee every morning without fail.

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