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.
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
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.