exactamente
/ek-sak-ta-MEN-teh/
exactly
Used as an adverb, exactamente means 'exactly,' emphasizing precision, such as two objects fitting together with perfect alignment.
exactamente(Adverb)
exactly
?for precision with numbers, time, or descriptions
precisely
?slightly more formal way of saying 'exactly'
,just
?as in 'just like that' or 'just what I wanted'
📝 In Action
El tren llega a las seis exactamente.
A2The train arrives at exactly six o'clock.
Necesito exactamente cien gramos de queso.
A2I need exactly one hundred grams of cheese.
Esto es exactamente lo que buscaba.
B1This is exactly what I was looking for.
Hazlo exactamente como te enseñé.
B1Do it just like I taught you.
💡 Grammar Points
Making Adverbs with '-mente'
Many Spanish adverbs are made by adding '-mente' to the end of another word. The trick is to find the feminine form of the adjective first. For 'exacto', the feminine form is 'exacta', so you get 'exacta-mente'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Exacto' instead of 'Exactamente'
Mistake: "El tren llega exacto a las seis."
Correction: El tren llega exactamente a las seis. To describe *how* an action happens (arrives exactly), you need the adverb 'exactamente'. 'Exacto' is used to describe a person or thing (un resultado exacto - an exact result).
⭐ Usage Tips
Where to Put It
You have some flexibility! You can often put 'exactamente' right before or after the thing you want to emphasize. For example, 'Son exactamente las dos' and 'Son las dos exactamente' both mean 'It's exactly two o'clock.'
As an interjection, ¡Exactamente! is used as a standalone expression of strong agreement, meaning 'Exactly!' or 'That's right!'
exactamente(Interjection)
Exactly!
?as a standalone expression of agreement
That's right!
?confirming what someone said
,You got it!
?informal agreement
📝 In Action
—Entonces, ¿el problema es la falta de tiempo? —Exactamente.
A2—So, the problem is the lack of time? —Exactly.
—Creo que deberíamos hablar con él primero. —¡Exactamente! Es lo más sensato.
B1—I think we should talk to him first. —Exactly! That's the most sensible thing to do.
⭐ Usage Tips
More Than Just 'Yes'
Using 'exactamente' to agree is much stronger than just saying 'sí'. It means 'You've understood the situation perfectly' or 'You've said exactly what I was thinking.' It's a great way to show enthusiastic agreement in a conversation.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: exactamente
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'exactamente' to mean 'That's right!' or to show strong agreement?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'exactamente' and 'justo'?
They can sometimes mean the same thing ('exactly'), but there's a slight difference. 'Exactamente' is all about precision and accuracy ('the number is exactly 100'). 'Justo' often has a feeling of 'just enough' or 'just in time' ('llegué justo a tiempo' - I arrived just in time). While you could say 'llegué exactamente a las 5', 'justo' adds that extra flavor of it being perfect timing.
Can I just say 'exacto' to agree with someone?
Yes, you can! In casual conversation, it's very common for people to just say '¡Exacto!' instead of '¡Exactamente!' to agree with someone. They both work perfectly and mean the same thing in that context.