Spanish Word of the Day: fijo

Today’s word may confuse some of you. If you look up the word fijo in the dictionary, you’ll probably see the meaning “fixed” first. Not that strange, if you consider that fijo comes from the verb fijar – “to fix”. So yes, fijo does mean “fixed”, but there’s a second meaning; that of “for sure”.

Now, fijo in the sense of “for sure” could be considered a colloquial meaning, but it’s used quite often and is in all dictionaries under the meaning “for sure”, so I’m ‘not that sure’ we should regard it as colloquial. Anyway, it’s accepted all the time and there’s nothing vulgar about it.

Sentences

¿Crees que vendrá? — fijo.
Do you think she’ll come? — definitely.

En cuanto entre en la ducha, fijo que suena el teléfono.
You can bet that as soon as I get in the shower, the phone will ring.

Fijo que el domingo llueve.
It’s bound to rain on Sunday.

Fijo que protesta.
You can bet he’ll complain.