How to Say "accurate" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “accurate” is “correcta” — use 'correcta' when referring to something that is free from errors, like a fact, an answer, or a statement..
correcta
co-RREC-ta/koˈrekta/
Examples
La respuesta que diste en el examen es completamente correcta.
The answer you gave on the exam is completely correct.
Necesito saber si esta dirección es la correcta antes de enviar la carta.
I need to know if this address is the right one before sending the letter.
No es la hora correcta. Llegamos media hora tarde.
It's not the correct time. We arrived half an hour late.
Gender Agreement
Since 'correcta' ends in -a, it is used only with feminine words (like 'la casa' or 'la idea'). For masculine words, you must use 'correcto' (e.g., 'el libro correcto').
Forgetting the Gender
Mistake: “La respuesta es correcto.”
Correction: La respuesta es correcta. (Since 'respuesta' is feminine, the adjective must also be feminine.)
exacta
ehk-SAHK-tah/ekˈsakta/
Examples
Necesito la medida exacta para el pastel.
I need the exact measurement for the cake.
La hora de llegada fue exacta: las dos en punto.
The arrival time was exact: two o'clock sharp.
Su descripción de la casa era muy exacta.
Her description of the house was very accurate.
Gender Agreement
Since 'exacta' ends in -a, it is the feminine form. You must use it when describing feminine nouns (like 'la hora' or 'la respuesta'). For masculine nouns (like 'el número'), use 'exacto'.
Placement
This adjective usually follows the noun it describes: 'la cantidad exacta' (the exact quantity).
Using the wrong form with feminine nouns
Mistake: “La información exacto.”
Correction: La información exacta. (Information is feminine, so the adjective must be feminine.)
preciso
preh-SEE-soh/pɾeˈθiso/
Examples
Necesito la hora precisa de tu llegada.
I need the precise time of your arrival.
El carpintero hizo un corte muy preciso.
The carpenter made a very precise cut.
Su descripción del evento fue precisa y detallada.
His description of the event was accurate and detailed.
Gender Agreement
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'preciso' must match the noun it describes in gender (preciso/precisa) and number (precisos/precisas).
justa
HOOS-tah/ˈxus.ta/
Examples
La decisión del juez fue muy justa.
The judge's decision was very fair.
Ella recibió una recompensa justa por su trabajo.
She received a just reward for her work.
Necesitamos una medida justa para dividir el pastel.
We need an accurate measure to divide the cake.
Gender Agreement
Since 'justa' is an adjective, it must match the noun it describes. Use 'justa' for feminine nouns (like 'decisión') and 'justo' for masculine nouns (like 'precio').
Misplaced Adjective
Mistake: “Una justa decisión.”
Correction: Una decisión justa. ('Justa' usually goes after the noun, especially when expressing judgment or quality.)
fiel
/fyél//fjel/
Examples
Mi perro es el animal más fiel que conozco.
My dog is the most faithful animal I know.
Hicieron una traducción fiel del documento original.
They made an accurate translation of the original document.
Ella fue una socia fiel de la empresa durante veinte años.
She was a loyal partner of the company for twenty years.
Gender Invariability
Unlike many Spanish adjectives, 'fiel' has the same form whether describing a masculine thing ('el amigo fiel') or a feminine thing ('la amiga fiel').
Plural Form
To make 'fiel' plural, simply add '-es': 'fieles'. This applies to both masculine and feminine nouns (e.g., 'amigos fieles', 'copias fieles').
Confusing Fiel and Leal
Mistake: “Using 'leal' when referring to accuracy (e.g., 'una copia leal').”
Correction: Use 'fiel' when talking about accuracy or truthfulness (e.g., 'una copia fiel'). 'Leal' is reserved almost exclusively for loyalty to a person or group.
Correcta vs. Exacta/Preciso
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