Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| acertado | /aθeɾˈtado/ /aseɾˈtado/ |
| acurado | /akuˈɾado/ |
| atinado | /atiˈnado/ |
While these terms relate to being exact or conforming to truth, they are used in different contexts. Use acertado to describe something that is correct, right or appropriate, such as a well-judged remark. Use atinado when you want to convey that something is accurate because it shows insight or good judgment. If you are describing technical or mathematical accuracy, the word preciso is often a more natural choice than acertado.
Which one should you use?
acertado carries the nuance of being a correct or appropriate decision or remark. In contrast, atinado is specifically used when something is accurate because it displays insight. For strictly technical or mathematical contexts, preciso is the preferred term.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective acertado must agree in gender with the noun it modifies. For example, it changes to acertada when modifying a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/aθeɾˈtado/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use acurado as a direct translation of "accurate", but acurado is not a standard Spanish word.
Did you know?
- If you are talking about an 'accurate' representation of a person, Spanish speakers often avoid acertado and instead use fiel, which literally means 'faithful'.
- The term atinado is derived from atinar, which originally referred to the physical skill of aiming a weapon or tool with precision.
- The word preciso can function as both an adjective meaning 'accurate' and as a synonym for 'necessary' depending on the sentence.
Examples in context
- "El tiempo es oro" es un acertado proverbio."Time is money" is an accurate proverb.This sentence shows how to use acertado to describe an accurate proverb.Tatoeba #603390 by Leono, translation #9883696 by DJ_Saidez
- Tu respuesta es precisaYour answer is accurate
- Necesitamos información precisaWe need accurate information
- La traducción es exactaThe translation is accurate
- Los datos deben ser exactosThe data should be accurate
- No, eso no es correctoNo, that is not accurate
- Estoy seguro de que es la respuesta correctaI'm sure that is the accurate answer
- Las respuestas deben ser precisasThe answers need to be accurate
- Es importante dar una respuesta exactaIt's important to give an accurate answer
- Creo que tu traducción es correctaI think your translation is accurate
- Hiciste un trabajo justo y precisoYou did a fair and accurate job
- Fue un comentario muy acertado.It was a very accurate comment.
- Su análisis fue bastante acertado.His analysis was quite accurate.
Example conversation
Javier and Elena are discussing a project report.
- JavierElena, ¿qué piensas de mi resumen?Elena, what do you think of my summary?
- ElenaEs un resumen muy acertado, Javier.It is a very accurate summary, Javier.
- JavierMe alegra que te parezca correcto.I am glad you think it is correct.
- ElenaSí, refleja bien todos los puntos.Yes, it reflects all the points well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “accurate” translations and entries acertado, acurado, atinado, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries acertado, atinado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
