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
Both words describe a limitation, for example in the case of damage. „Lokal“ refers to a specific area, while „punktuell“ highlights individual locations or very small areas within it. Use „lokal“ for the geographical scope and „punktuell“ when it is important that the damage is concentrated in just a few places.
Der Sturm hat in den Dörfern nur punktuell einzelne Dächer beschädigt.
In the villages, the storm damaged only a few individual roofs in isolated spots.
Der Sturm hat nur lokale Schäden in mehreren Dörfern verursacht.
The storm caused only local damage in several villages.
