localized / selective
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localized / selective
Referring to a single point or a very limited area; not comprehensive or continuous, but occurring only in certain places or at certain times.
Die Proteste waren nur punktuell und weiteten sich nicht auf das ganze Land aus.
The protests were only localized and did not spread to the whole country.
The adjective 'punktuell' (localized/selective) is derived from 'der Punkt' (the point). It describes a quality or action that relates only to individual 'points' and not to the whole area or duration.
Der Sturm verursachte nur punktuelle Schäden in der Region.
The storm caused only localized damage in the region.
'Punktuell' (localized/selective) can stand as an adjective before a noun or as an adverb that describes a verb. As an adverb, it means 'only in certain places' or 'only at certain times'.
Es gab nur eine punktuelle Kontrolle der Fahrkarten.
There was only a spot check of the tickets.
The word is often used to express a limitation. Typical nouns are 'punktuelle Hilfe' (selective help), 'punktuelle Kritik' (specific criticism), 'punktuelle Verbesserungen' (selective improvements), or 'punktueller Regen' (localized rain).
Die Kritik des Professors war nicht allgemein, sondern sehr punktuell.
The professor's criticism was not general, but very specific.
local
'lokal' and 'punktuell' both describe a limitation, but in different ways. 'lokal' means that something relates to a specific place, a region, or, in medicine, a part of the body. 'punktuell' means that something occurs only in individual places or at individual times, and not continuously or everywhere. The words can be confused because neither refers to the whole. 'lokal' is more about the question: Where is it? 'punktuell' is more about the question: Does it occur only at certain points or moments?
Die Mitarbeiterin prüft die Zahlen punktuell, weil vor dem Termin nicht genug Zeit für alles bleibt.
The employee checks the figures selectively because there is not enough time to review everything before the appointment.
Die lokale Betäubung wirkt nur an der behandelten Stelle.
The local anesthetic works only on the treated area.