How to Say “Spot On” in Spanish

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en el clavo
/en el klabo/from spelling rules
In Spanish, 'spot on' is expressed as en el clavo.
The phrase en el clavo is an idiom used to indicate that someone has hit the mark exactly or is completely correct.
Meaning: exact or correct (adj)

What does it mean word for word?

Literally, en el clavo means 'on the nail'.

Is it said differently in some regions?

In Argentina, a common way to express the idea of being 'spot on' is justo/a en la tecla. In Spain, the phrase dar en el blanco is frequently used to convey the same meaning.

How does it change in a sentence?

Although en el clavo functions as the adverbial phrase for being 'spot on', it is most commonly used with the verb dar (to hit/give) to form the full expression dar en el clavo, which means 'to hit the nail on the head'.

Did you know?

  • The English word 'clavicle' for the collarbone comes from the same Latin root as the Spanish word clavo.
  • In Argentina, the phrase justo en la tecla replaces the 'nail' with a 'key', referencing the precise strike of a piano or typewriter key.

Examples in context

  • Su análisis es muy acertado
    Your analysis is spot on
  • Tu respuesta es exacta
    Your answer is spot on
  • El informe es preciso
    The report is spot on
  • Claro que sí, eso es exactamente lo que necesitamos
    Absolutely, that's spot on, exactly what we need
  • Tal cual, así es como sucedió
    Exactly, that's exactly how it happened
  • Has dado en el clavo con tu comentario
    You hit the nail on the head with your comment
  • ¡Exactamente! Eso es lo que quiero decir
    Spot on! That's what I mean
  • Has dado en el blanco con tus palabras
    You've hit the bullseye with your words
  • ¡Tu respuesta fue precisa, estás en lo correcto!
    Your answer was accurate, you're spot on!
  • Diste en el clavo con esa respuesta.
    You hit the nail on the head with that answer.

Example conversation

Daniel and Sofía are discussing a guess about a movie plot.

  1. Daniel

    ¿Crees que la película trata sobre un detective?
    Do you think the movie is about a detective?
  2. Sofía

    Sí, diste en el clavo.
    Yes, you were spot on.
  3. Daniel

    ¡Qué bueno que acerté!
    I'm glad I got it right!
  4. Sofía

    Tu intuición es muy buena, Daniel.
    Your intuition is very good, Daniel.

Sources

  • IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
  • Word origins: Wiktionary entries clavo, el, en, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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Samantha Alyssa
Samantha AlyssaHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.
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