How to Say "exact" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “exact” is “exacto” — use 'exacto' when you mean precisely correct, without any deviation, often referring to time, numbers, or quantities.
exacto
ek-SAHK-toheɡˈsa(k)to
Examples
¿Cuál es la hora exacta?
What is the exact time?
Necesito el número exacto de personas que vienen.
I need the precise number of people coming.
La descripción que diste es exacta, no hay errores.
The description you gave is accurate (exact), there are no mistakes.
Variable Ending
As an adjective, 'exacto' must change its ending to match the noun it describes. Use '-a' for feminine words (la hora exacta) and add an '-s' for plurals (los resultados exactos).
Not matching gender
Mistake: “El respuesta exacto.”
Correction: La respuesta exacta. Remember that 'respuesta' is a feminine word, so the adjective must end in '-a'.
perfecto
per-FEK-tohpeɾˈfekto
Examples
Este es el lugar perfecto para unas vacaciones.
This is the perfect place for a vacation.
Tu pronunciación no es perfecta, pero se entiende muy bien.
Your pronunciation isn't perfect, but it's very easy to understand.
La película tiene un final perfecto.
The movie has a perfect ending.
Making it Match
Like most Spanish describing words, 'perfecto' changes to match the person or thing it describes. Use 'perfecto' for masculine things, 'perfecta' for feminine things, 'perfectos' for masculine plural, and 'perfectas' for feminine plural. (e.g., un día perfecto, una noche perfecta).
Describing a Thing vs. an Action
Mistake: “El equipo jugó perfecto.”
Correction: El equipo jugó perfectamente. (The team played perfectly.) Use 'perfecto' to describe the team (a thing), but 'perfectamente' to describe *how* they played (an action).
preciso
preh-SEE-sohpɾeˈθiso
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).
específico
Examples
Necesito una respuesta específica antes de mañana.
I need a specific answer before tomorrow.
justo
HOOS-tohˈxusto
Examples
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.
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).
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.
cabal
ka-BAHLkaˈβal
Examples
Han pasado tres horas cabales desde que se fue.
Three full hours have passed since he left.
Le dio el peso cabal de la mercancía.
He gave him the exact weight of the goods.
No tengo una explicación cabal de lo ocurrido.
I don't have a complete explanation of what happened.
Use with Plurals
When used for time or measurements, it usually follows a plural number, like 'diez días cabales' (ten full days).
Cabal vs. Cabalmente
Mistake: “Using 'cabal' when you need an adverb.”
Correction: Use 'cabalmente' to say 'exactly' or 'thoroughly' as an action. Use 'cabal' for descriptions.
Exacto vs. Preciso vs. Específico
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