precisamente
/preh-see-sah-MEN-tay/
exactly
We use precisamente when we mean "exactly," like when a piece fits perfectly.
precisamente(adverb)
exactly
?for confirmation or accuracy
,precisely
?to mean accurately
just
?when emphasizing a specific point in time or space
📝 In Action
¿Es aquí donde vives? — Sí, precisamente aquí.
A2Is this where you live? — Yes, precisely here.
Llegó precisamente cuando todos se iban.
B1He arrived just when everyone was leaving.
Eso es precisamente lo que habíamos acordado.
B2That is exactly what we had agreed upon.
💡 Grammar Points
Adverb Placement
'Precisamente' is flexible. It can go before the verb, after the verb, or at the start of a sentence to emphasize the whole idea.
⭐ Usage Tips
Strong Agreement
Use 'precisamente' instead of 'sí' or 'claro' when you want to show strong, complete agreement with what the other person just said.
Precisamente can also mean "that's why," used to introduce the direct reason or cause for something.
precisamente(adverb)
that's why
?introducing a strong cause
,for that very reason
?emphasizing the cause
as a matter of fact
?when correcting or clarifying a situation
📝 In Action
No quiso pedir ayuda. Precisamente por eso, su trabajo falló.
B2He didn't want to ask for help. For that very reason, his work failed.
Muchos creen que es un defecto, pero precisamente su inexperiencia es su mayor virtud.
C1Many believe it is a flaw, but as a matter of fact, his inexperience is his greatest virtue.
💡 Grammar Points
Causal Connector
When used in this sense, 'precisamente' acts as a strong link between a previous statement (the cause) and the current statement (the result or conclusion).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Overuse in Simple Sentences
Mistake: "Using 'precisamente' when 'sí' or 'claro' would suffice."
Correction: 'Precisamente' carries a strong emphasis; save it for moments when you really need to stress the exactness or the core reason.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: precisamente
Question 1 of 1
Which English translation best fits 'Precisamente por tu actitud, no te darán el ascenso'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'precisamente' and 'exactamente'?
Both words mean 'exactly,' and they are often interchangeable. However, 'precisamente' sometimes carries a bit more emotional emphasis or is used more often when introducing a specific reason ('precisely because...'), while 'exactamente' is slightly more focused on numerical or factual accuracy.
Can I use 'precisamente' to contradict someone?
Yes, you can! If someone says, 'I guess you didn't finish the report,' you can reply, '¡Precisamente!' (Exactly!/That's right!) to confirm their statement, or you can use it to argue: 'Precisamente lo opuesto es verdad' (Precisely the opposite is true).