بِالضَّبْط
bi-ḍ-ḍabṭ
The English word 'exactly' can be translated into Arabic using بِالضَّبْط (bi-ḍ-ḍabṭ) or تَمَامًا.
Meaning: in an exact manner (adv)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| بِالضَّبْط | bi-ḍ-ḍabṭ |
| تَمَامًا | tamāman |
بِالضَّبْط is used to describe something done in an exact manner or to confirm a specific detail. It can also function as an interjection to express strong agreement with a statement, similar to saying 'Exactly!' or 'Precisely!' in English. تَمَامًا can mean 'exactly', but it is also frequently used to mean 'completely' or 'entirely'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase بِالضَّبْط is composed of the preposition بِ (with/by) and the noun الضَّبْط (precision/control/exactness).
Which one should you use?
While both terms can mean 'exactly', بِالضَّبْط is more common when confirming a specific detail or measurement. In contrast, تَمَامًا often functions as a standalone way to say 'completely' or 'perfectly'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
bi-ḍ-ḍabṭ
Did you know?
- The root of بِالضَّبْط is shared with words meaning 'to seize' or 'to arrest'. In a legal context, ضَبْط refers to the official police report or the act of catching a criminal in the act.
- In classical Arabic, ضَبْط referred to the meticulous placement of vowel marks over consonants to ensure the Quran was recited exactly as intended.
- Beyond meaning 'exactly', the word تَمَام is used as a standalone response to 'How are you?' to indicate that everything is perfect.
Examples in context
- هل يمكنك القدوم بالضبط في الساعة الثامنة؟Can you come exactly at 8 o'clock?
- هذا هو ما أريده بِالضَّبْط.hadha huwa ma uriduhu bil-dabt.This is exactly what I want.
- أريد قطعة بهذا الحجم بِالضَّبْط.uridu qit'atan bi-hadha al-hajm bil-dabt.I want a piece of exactly this size.
- قمت بتنظيف الغرفة بِالضَّبْط كما طلبت.qumtu bi-tandif al-ghurfa bil-dabt kama talabt.I cleaned the room exactly as you asked.
Example conversation
Yousef is checking a measurement for Sara at a furniture store.
- يوسف Youssefهل هذا هو المقاس الذي تحتاجينه بِالضَّبْط؟hal hadha huwa al-maqas alladhi tahtajinahu bil-dabt?Is this exactly the size you need?
- سارة Saraنعم، هذا المقاس مثالي.na'am, hadha al-maqas mithali.Yes, this size is perfect.
- يوسف Youssefسأقوم بتجهيز الطلب لكِ الآن.sa-aqum bi-tajhiz al-talab laki al-an.I will prepare the order for you now.
- سارة Saraشكراً جزيلاً لك يا يوسف.shukran jazilan laka ya Yousef.Thank you very much, Yousef.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “exactly” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
