exactement
/ɛɡ.zak.tə.mɑ̃/
The French word for exactly is exactement.
The adverb exactement is used to describe something done in an exact manner. Like in English, it can also be used as a standalone exclamation to express strong agreement with what someone has just said.
Meaning: in an exact manner (adv)
Which one should you use?
While exactement is used to confirm the precision of a fact, tout à fait is a more common way to express total agreement with an opinion or a statement.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation of exactement is /ɛɡ.zak.tə.mɑ̃/. It has 4 syllables.
Did you know?
- In a casual debate, a French speaker might use exactement as a 'verbal nod' to keep the other person talking without necessarily agreeing with every point.
- The word exactement shares a common ancestor with the English word 'exacting', which describes a person or task that requires great precision or is very demanding.
- The 'x' in exactement is pronounced as a 'gz' sound, which is why it sounds more like 'eg-zactement' than the English 'ex-actly'.
Examples in context
- Où est-il exactement ?Where exactly is he?This sentence shows how to use exactement when asking for a specific location.Tatoeba #3639521 by sacredceltic, translation #3636945 by MTC
- Où es-tu, exactement ?Where exactly are you?Tatoeba #3639859 by sacredceltic, translation #3636491 by CK
- Oui, oui, exactement !Yes, yes, exactly!This sentence shows how to use exactement as an exclamation of agreement.Tatoeba #13452065 by Rovo, translation #13451801 by rul
- Je serai là précisément à 15 heures.I will be there exactly at 3 PM.
- Veuillez suivre ces instructions de manière précise.Please follow these instructions exactly.
- Calculez vos dépenses de façon exacte.Calculate your expenses exactly.
- Tout à fait, je suis d'accord avec toi.Exactly, I agree with you.
- Exactement! C'est ce que je voulais dire.Exactly! That's what I wanted to say.
- Il est juste en face de chez moi.He is just/exactly across the street from me.
- 399 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are looking at a receipt in a café.
- GabrielEst-ce que le total est correct, Manon ?Is the total correct, Manon?
- ManonOui, c'est exactement le bon montant.Yes, it is exactly the right amount.
- GabrielParfait, je vais payer.Perfect, I will pay.
- ManonMerci beaucoup, Gabriel.Thank you very much, Gabriel.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “exactly” translations and entries exactement, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries exactement, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
