What does "claro" mean?

The chunk "claro" is most famous as a way to say "of course" or "sure." However, it fundamentally means "clear." Whether you are talking about a "clear day," a "light color," or making sure an explanation "is clear" (quedar claro), this is a foundational word for daily Spanish communication.

Examples

1. ¡Claro que sí! Te ayudaré con eso.
Of course! I will help you with that. (presente de indicativo)
2. En ese entonces, no estaba claro quién tenía la culpa.
Back then, it wasn't clear who was to blame. (imperfecto de indicativo)
3. Al final de la reunión, todo quedó claro.
At the end of the meeting, everything became clear. (pretérito)
4. Pronto estará claro qué decisión debemos tomar.
Soon it will be clear what decision we should make. (futuro)
5. Con más luz, el color se vería más claro.
With more light, the color would look lighter (clearer). (potencial simple)
6. Solo quiero que quede claro que no fue mi intención.
I just want it to be clear that it wasn't my intention. (presente de subjuntivo)
7. Si todo estuviera claro, no estaríamos discutiendo.
If everything were clear, we wouldn't be arguing. (imperfecto de subjuntivo)
8. Ha quedado claro que necesitamos un plan nuevo.
It has become clear that we need a new plan. (perfecto de indicativo)
9. Antes del aviso, ya nos había quedado claro el problema.
Before the notice, the problem had already become clear to us. (pluscuamperfecto)
10. Apenas hube dejado claro mi punto, se terminó el debate.
As soon as I had made my point clear, the debate ended. (pretérito anterior)
11. Para mañana, ya habrá quedado claro el resultado.
By tomorrow, the result will have become clear. (futuro perfecto)
12. Sin la niebla, el panorama habría quedado claro.
Without the fog, the view would have been clear. (potencial compuesto)
13. Me alegra que te haya quedado claro el proceso.
I'm glad the process has become clear to you. (perfecto de subjuntivo)
14. Si nos hubiera quedado claro antes, no habríamos fallado.
If it had been clear to us before, we wouldn't have failed. (pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo)
15. ¡Tenlo claro: esto es una gran oportunidad!
Have it clear (Be sure): this is a great opportunity! (imperativo context)