justo

/HOOS-toh/

fair

As an adjective, *justo* means 'fair' or 'just,' often relating to equality and balance.

justo(Adjective)

mB1

fair?related to justice or equality,just?morally right or deserved

Also:exact?the precise amount or number,right?the correct one,tight?snug, fitting closely (for clothing)

📝 In Action

El profesor es muy justo con todos los estudiantes.

The teacher is very fair with all the students.

Necesito la cantidad justa de azúcar para la receta.

I need the exact amount of sugar for the recipe.

Estos pantalones me quedan un poco justos.

These pants are a bit tight on me.

Word Connections

Synonyms

equitativo (equitable)
exacto (exact)
apretado (tight)

Antonyms

injusto (unfair)
incorrecto (incorrect)
holgado (loose)

Common Collocations

un precio justo – a fair price
el tamaño justo – the right size
ser justo – to be fair

💡 Grammar Points

Making it Match: Gender and Number

When 'justo' is used to describe something (as an adjective), it needs to match the thing it's describing. It changes its ending: justo (for masculine things), justa (for feminine things), justos (for masculine plural), and justas (for feminine plural).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using 'justo' for 'only'

Mistake: "Quiero justo un café."

Correction: Quiero solo un café. (I only want one coffee.) Use 'solo' or 'solamente' when you mean 'only' or 'just' in the sense of quantity.

⭐ Usage Tips

Describing Clothes

When you say clothing is 'justo,' it usually means it's a little too small or very snug. If it fits perfectly, you might say 'me queda perfecto' instead.

A stylized map showing a bright red pushpin placed precisely at the exact center point of a road intersection, emphasizing exact location.

As an adverb, *justo* means 'exactly' or 'right,' referring to a precise location or moment in time (e.g., 'right here' or 'just now').

justo(Adverb)

just?referring to a precise moment in time,exactly?emphasizing precision,right?for location or emphasis, e.g., 'right here'

Also:barely?almost not, with little margin

📝 In Action

Llegué justo cuando empezaba la película.

I arrived just as the movie was starting.

Eso es justo lo que necesitaba.

That's exactly what I needed.

La farmacia está justo en la esquina.

The pharmacy is right on the corner.

Terminamos el proyecto justo a tiempo.

We finished the project just in time.

Word Connections

Synonyms

exactamente (exactly)
precisamente (precisely)
apenas (barely, just)

Common Collocations

justo ahora – right now
justo a tiempo – just in time
justo antes/después – right before/after
justo aquí/allí – right here/there

💡 Grammar Points

The Form That Never Changes

When 'justo' works as an adverb (telling you how, when, or where something happens), it never changes its ending. It's always 'justo', no matter what you're talking about.

⭐ Usage Tips

A Perfect Team Player

'Justo' loves to team up with other words to be more specific. You'll often hear it in phrases like justo en el medio (right in the middle), justo al lado (right next to), and justo enfrente (right in front).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: justo

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'justo' to mean 'exactly' or 'right there'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

justicia(justice) - noun

injusto(unfair) - adjective

justificar(to justify) - verb

ajustar(to adjust) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'justo' and 'solo'?

'Justo' usually means 'exactly' or refers to a precise moment ('just in time'). 'Solo' (or 'solamente') means 'only' or 'just' when talking about quantity ('I just have one'). Think of 'justo' for precision and 'solo' for limitation.

Does 'justo' change its ending?

It depends on its job! If it's describing a noun (like 'a fair price' - un precio justo), it changes for gender and number (justo, justa, justos, justas). If it's telling you when or where (like 'right now' - justo ahora), it always stays 'justo'.