exactamente
/eɡˌsaɡtaˈmente/
The English word 'exactly' is translated into Spanish as exactamente. Wiktionary also lists exacto and tal como.
Meaning: in an exact manner (adv)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| exactamente | /eɡˌsaɡtaˈmente/ |
| exacto | /eɡˈsaɡto/ |
| tal como | /ˌtal ˈkomo/ |
| tal cual como | /tal kwal komo/ (from spelling rules) |
The primary way to express precision is through the adverb exactamente, which is used to modify a verb, an adjective or an entire clause. If you mean 'exactly' in the sense of 'just as' or 'in the same way as' to compare two things, use the phrase tal como.
Which one should you use?
While exactamente is the standard adverbial form used for precision, exacto is often used as an informal interjection to mean 'exactly!' or 'that's right!' To convey the sense of 'exactly as it is' or 'just like that', you can use the informal phrase tal cual.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
/eɡˌsaɡtaˈmente/
When do people say it?
If someone makes a point that you agree with, you can respond with the single word ¡Exacto! to communicate 'Exactly!' or 'Precisely!'
Did you know?
- The suffix -mente in exactamente comes from the Latin word for 'mind', which is mēns. It originally described the state of mind in which an action was performed.
- While exacto means 'exactly', in a mathematical context or when describing a number, it is often used to mean 'even' or 'round', such as when a total is a whole number without cents.
- The phrase tal cual can be used as an adjective to describe someone who is 'natural' or 'unfiltered', meaning they are exactly who they appear to be.
Examples in context
- Él dijo exactamente eso.That's exactly what he said.This sentence shows how to use exactamente to specify what was said.Tatoeba #1345315 by marcelostockle, translation #43190 by CK
- Sé exactamente quién es.I know exactly who it is.This sentence demonstrates using exactamente to express knowledge of a person's identity.Tatoeba #3252806 by marcelostockle, translation #3069843 by Hybrid
- ¿A dónde vives exactamente?Where exactly do you live?This sentence illustrates using exactamente to ask for a precise location.Tatoeba #1995434 by marcelostockle, translation #1886612 by CK
- ¿Está seguro de que es exactamente lo que necesita?Are you sure it's exactly what you need?
- La respuesta a su pregunta está precisamente aquíThe answer to your question is precisely here.
- Ciertamente, ese es exactamente el problemaCertainly, that is exactly the problem.
- ¡Justo lo que estaba buscando!Exactly what I was looking for!
- Claro, ¡es exactamente eso!Of course, that's exactly it!
- ¡No cabe duda de que es exactamente lo que necesito!There's no doubt it's exactly what I need!
- Es tal cual me lo imaginabaIt's exactly as I imagined it.
- 203 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía and Alejandro are looking at a map in a park.
- Sofía¿Dónde estamos exactamente, Alejandro?Where are we exactly, Alejandro?
- AlejandroEstamos exactamente al lado del museo.We are exactly next to the museum.
- SofíaAh, ¿entonces estamos cerca del parque?Oh, so we are near the park?
- AlejandroSí, estamos muy cerca.Yes, we are very close.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “exactly” translations and entries exactamente, exacto, tal como, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries como, cual, exactamente, exacto, tal, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
