puntualizar
“puntualizar” means “to specify” in Spanish (giving precise details).
to specify, to point out
Also: to clarify, to detail
📝 In Action
El director puntualizó que los cambios serían obligatorios.
B2The director specified that the changes would be mandatory.
Antes de terminar, me gustaría puntualizar algunos detalles técnicos.
C1Before finishing, I would like to clarify some technical details.
Ella puntualizó los puntos clave del contrato.
B2She detailed the key points of the contract.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: puntualizar
Question 1 of 3
If you are in a meeting and want to add a very specific detail to a plan, which verb is best?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the noun 'punto' (point), which comes from Latin 'punctum'. The verb was formed by adding the suffix '-izar' (similar to '-ize' in English) to imply making something into a specific point or detail.
First recorded: 18th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'puntualizar' the same as 'explicar'?
Not exactly. 'Explicar' is general (to explain), while 'puntualizar' is more specific—it means to highlight or clarify a very particular detail or 'point'.
Can I use 'puntualizar' in a casual conversation with friends?
You can, but it sounds a bit formal. In casual chats, people usually just say 'aclarar' or 'quería decir que...'.
Why does the spelling change to 'c' in some forms?
It's a standard rule in Spanish: 'z' changes to 'c' when it's followed by 'e' or 'i' to keep the soft 's/th' sound.