Translation guide
The English word 'exactly' is used to emphasize precision, agreement, or to ask for confirmation. In Japanese, the best translation depends on the specific function: emphasizing exact amounts or times, agreeing strongly, or asking for precise details.
To stress that something is precisely a certain number, time, or place, with no deviation.
Used before numbers, times, or amounts to mean 'exactly' or 'just'. Very common and natural.
It's exactly 100 yen.
I arrived at exactly 3 o'clock.
Often used for things fitting perfectly, or matching exactly. Can be used with numbers, but also for sizes, descriptions, etc.
Emphasizes exactness, often with time or money. Slightly more emphatic than ちょうど, but less common.
To express complete agreement with what someone said, like 'That's exactly right' or 'Exactly!'
To ask someone to specify exactly what they mean, or to confirm a precise detail.
Means 'Specifically?' or 'Exactly what do you mean?'. Very common in conversation.
To say that something is exactly the same as something else.
ちょうど is the most general and neutral for 'exactly' with numbers. ぴったり implies a perfect fit or match, often used for sizes or timing. きっかり is more emphatic and often used with round numbers or precise times, but is less common in daily speech.
While 正確に means 'accurately' or 'precisely', it is not used as an interjection for agreement. Use その通り or まさに instead.
この靴はぴったりだ。
These shoes fit exactly.
I arrived in exactly 10 minutes.
きっかり5時に始まる。
It starts at exactly 5 o'clock.
The most common way to say 'Exactly!' or 'That's right!' in agreement.
A: This plan is perfect. B: Exactly!
Used to emphasize that something is exactly as described, often in more formal or emphatic agreement.
That's exactly right.
Similar to まさに but more literary or emphatic. Used in formal contexts.
That is exactly the problem.
A: There's a better way. B: Exactly what?
Asks for the exact or accurate detail, like 'Exactly when/where/how much?'.
Exactly when is it?
Used in questions to express 'exactly' or 'on earth', often with a sense of confusion or emphasis. Common in spoken Japanese.
What exactly happened?
Means 'exactly alike' or 'identical'. Often used for appearances or copies.
This painting is exactly like the real one.
Means 'exactly as it is', without change. Used for copying or leaving something unchanged.
Please copy this text exactly as it is.