In German
genau
Meaning: exactly
Example sentences
Genau,dasmeineichauch.
Exactly, that's what I think too.
EsistgenauzwölfUhr.
It's exactly twelve o'clock.
Grammar note
“Genau” is an invariable adverb, but it's also an extremely common standalone word in conversation meaning “exactly!”/“right!”, used to agree with what someone just said — similar to how English speakers say “exactly” as a one-word response.
Common mistake
Don't overlook “genau” as just a dry adverb for precision — in spoken German it's one of the most common one-word agreement responses, used constantly in everyday conversation.
Quick check
Which German word means “exactly”?
More words on this topic
Keep learning German
Practise it in a lesson →Frequently asked questions
Can “genau” stand alone as a response?
Yes — Germans say “Genau!” by itself all the time to mean “Exactly!/Right!”, agreeing with what was just said.
What's the opposite of “genau”?
“Ungefähr” (approximately).