genau

Genau is a German word that functions as an adverb and an adjective, meaning precisely, exactly, or accurately. It is also used as an interjection to express agreement or affirmation.

As an adverb, genau modifies verbs or whole clauses: for example, "Sie hat es genau erklärt" means "She explained it exactly." In spoken language, it can stand alone as an interjection: "Genau!" meaning "Exactly!" or "Right!" It often appears in replies to confirm a statement or assessment.

As an adjective, genau describes nouns in phrases such as "eine genaue Angabe" (a precise specification) or "genaue Messungen" (precise measurements). It follows the standard German adjective declension: "eine genaue Angabe," "ein genauer Bericht," "die genauen Daten," depending on gender, case, and number. The word also participates in comparisons like "genauer" (more precise) and phrases such as "ganz genau" to intensify precision.

Common expressions and idioms include "ganz genau" (very exactly), "genau genommen" (strictly speaking), and "genau so" (just like that / exactly so). In many contexts, genau is interchangeable with synonyms like exakt or präzise, though exact nuance may vary with context and formality. The term is widely used in everyday German as well as in technical and formal language to emphasize precision or agreement.