Meaning and Usage
"的確" (てきかく) means "precise" or "accurate." It is often used to describe information, judgments, advice, or explanations that are correct and reliable. It conveys a sense of correctness without ambiguity.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "的確" used in professional or academic settings where accuracy is important, such as giving advice, making decisions, or explaining something clearly.
Collocations and Patterns
- 的確な説明 (てきかくなせつめい): precise explanation
- 的確な判断 (てきかくなはんだん): accurate judgment
- 的確に評価する (てきかくにひょうかする): to evaluate accurately
Register and Nuance
"的確" is a formal word, suitable for written and spoken Japanese in polite or neutral contexts. It is not casual slang.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "的確" with "正確" (せいかく), which also means "accurate." While both can overlap, "的確" emphasizes appropriateness and correctness in context, often implying a good fit or relevance, whereas "正確" focuses more on factual accuracy or exactness. Use "的確" when you want to highlight the correctness of a judgment or advice in a situation.