certain thing

[ˈsɜr.tən θɪŋ]
noun phrasepl: certain things
coisa certa
1. Something that is sure to happen or is guaranteed; an assured outcome
Winning the lottery is not a certain thing.
Ganhar na loteria não é uma coisa certa.
2. A specific or particular thing that is known or identified
There's a certain thing about her that makes everyone like her.
Há uma certa coisa nela que faz todos gostarem dela.
3. Informal: Used to affirm agreement or acknowledgment of an obvious fact
You're right about that, that's a certain thing.
Você está certo sobre isso, é uma coisa certa.
In both American and Brazilian English, 'certain thing' is often used colloquially to express absolute certainty or agreement. In Brazil, it's commonly used in casual conversation to affirm that something is guaranteed or inevitable. In NYC and other American urban areas, similar expressions like 'for sure' or 'that's a lock' convey the same meaning with more contemporary slang.
NYC Slang
for sure, that's a lock, that's a done deal
Synonyms / Sinônimos
sure thingguaranteed outcomeforegone conclusiondefinite thing
Antonyms / Antônimos
uncertain thingdoubtful matterunlikely occurrencepossibility

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
coisa certa
Standard usage across Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
coisa certa / negócio certo
May use 'negócio certo' colloquially
São Paulo
coisa certa
Standard usage, sometimes 'fato certo'
Portugal
coisa certa
Similar usage, may also say 'facto certo'

Related Words

certaintysureguaranteedinevitableassured

Related Idioms & Phrases

a sure thing
a done deal
a foregone conclusion
that's for certain
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