exactly
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exactly
Absolutely exact, precise, and without the slightest deviation. It is used to emphasize a high degree of accuracy or agreement.
Das Ersatzteil passte haargenau in die Maschine.
The replacement part fit exactly into the machine.
'Haargenau' (exactly) is a compound of 'Haar' (hair) and 'genau' (exact). The idea behind it is that something is as precise as the width of a hair. So it is a figurative intensification of 'genau' (exact).
Die Beschreibung des Zeugen war haargenau.
The witness's description was exactly right.
As an adverb, 'haargenau' (exactly) usually stands directly before the word it emphasizes. This can be an adjective, another adverb, or a verb. It reinforces the precision of the statement.
Das ist haargenau das, was ich gesucht habe.
That is exactly what I was looking for.
'Haargenau' (exactly) is often used to emphasize agreement or exact execution. Typical combinations are 'haargenau passen' (to fit exactly), 'haargenau stimmen' (to be exactly right), 'etwas haargenau befolgen' (to follow something exactly), or 'haargenau dasselbe sagen' (to say exactly the same thing).
Er hat die Anweisungen seines Chefs haargenau befolgt.
He followed his boss's instructions exactly.
exact / precise
Genau and haargenau can both express complete agreement. Genau states this neutrally; haargenau emphatically stresses that there is not even the slightest deviation. When this complete lack of deviation should be particularly emphasized, haargenau is the better fit.
Die Kopie entspricht haargenau dem Original.
The copy matches the original exactly.
Die Kopie entspricht genau dem Original.
The copy matches the original exactly.
