Adjective
/insɪɾto/
The adjective incierto indicates a lack of certainty, clarity, or assurance about something. It can be used to describe situations, information, or feelings that are vague or indefinite. In the Spanish language, it is often utilized in both oral and written contexts, though its use may vary depending on the formality of the text. It is considered relatively common, especially in discussions involving uncertainty in legal, economic, or personal matters.
The election results remain uncertain.
Es incierto si podremos completar el proyecto a tiempo.
It is uncertain whether we will be able to complete the project on time.
Su futuro era incierto después de la crisis.
The word incierto is also part of some idiomatic expressions that emphasize the notion of uncertainty or ambiguity. Here are several examples:
"The uncertain future of the economy worries many."
Situación incierta
"We find ourselves in an uncertain situation and need to act quickly."
Resultados inciertos
"The uncertain results of the test led to further investigations."
Decisión incierta
"Making an uncertain decision can be scary."
Ambiente incierto
The word incierto comes from the Latin incertus, which is composed of the prefix in-, meaning "not," and certus, meaning "certain" or "sure." This roots convey the idea of being not sure or lacking certainty.