How do you tell someone they’ve got it just right – not near enough, or in the ball park, but spot on?

Appunto is the word you need. It means ‘exactly’ or ‘precisely’.

La cosa è andata appunto così.
That’s precisely how it went.

Appunto per questo ti ho fatto venire.
That’s exactly why I got you to come.

It’s often used to show that something or someone has shown up at just the right time.

Appunto, volevo proprio te.
You’re the very person I wanted to see.

Si parlava appunto di questo.
We were talking about that very thing.

You can also use appunto to answer a question in the affirmative – like giving a very emphatic ‘yes!’ or ‘indeed!’

– Mi aspettavi?
– Appunto!
– Were you waiting for me?
– Indeed I was!

That’s how you use appunto as an adverb, but don’t mix it up with the identical noun.

Un appunto is a ‘critique’ or ‘objection’, while its plural form – gli appunti – means ‘notes’.

Ho dimenticato di prendere appunti.
I forgot to take notes.

Ho un appunto da farti.
I have an objection to make.

Do you have a favourite Italian word you’d like us to feature? If so, please email us with your suggestion.