的確

• Reading: てきかく
• Romaji: tekikaku
• Kanji breakdown: 的 (teki) — target, mark, bull's-eye; 確 (kaku) — certain, sure, confirm
• Pronunciation: /te.ki.ka.kɯ/

Meaning

Accurate; precise; apt. Describes something that hits the mark exactly.

A na-adjective meaning accurate, precise, or exactly appropriate. Used to praise responses, judgements, or actions that are right on target — 的確な判断 (accurate judgement), 的確に答える (to answer precisely), 的確な指示 (apt instructions). More focused on hitting the right point than 正確 (seikaku), which emphasises correctness. Common in business and academic contexts.

Examples

1. 彼女はいつも的確なアドバイスをくれる。 She always gives precise advice.
2. 医師は症状を的確に診断した。 The doctor accurately diagnosed the symptoms.
3. 的確な判断が求められる場面だった。 It was a situation that called for accurate judgment.

Usage Guide

Context: business, medical, academic

Tone: professional

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 的 (teki, target/mark) + 確 (kaku, certain/sure). The compound conveys the image of hitting a target with certainty — being precisely on the mark.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated