Signification
Used to confirm accuracy or agreement with what has been said.
Contexte culturel
In Egypt, 'بالظبط' is often pronounced with a very heavy 'Z' sound (bezzabt). It is used as a social lubricant to show you are paying attention and agree with the speaker's 'shaṭāra' (cleverness). While 'بالظبط' is understood and used, 'Tamāman' (تماماً) is often preferred in slightly more polite or formal urban settings. The pronunciation is closer to the Classical Arabic 'bi-al-ḍabṭ'. It is used frequently in business negotiations to confirm specific terms. In Morocco or Tunisia, you might hear 'Nishan' (نيشان) or 'Swaswa' (سوا سوا) for 'exactly', though 'بالضبط' is recognized through media.
The 'Nod' Factor
When saying 'بالظبط', give a single, firm nod. It doubles the impact of your agreement in Arab culture.
Don't Overuse
If you say it after every sentence, you might sound like you're not actually listening but just auto-agreeing.
Signification
Used to confirm accuracy or agreement with what has been said.
The 'Nod' Factor
When saying 'بالظبط', give a single, firm nod. It doubles the impact of your agreement in Arab culture.
Don't Overuse
If you say it after every sentence, you might sound like you're not actually listening but just auto-agreeing.
The Egyptian 'Z'
Embrace the 'Z' sound if you are in Egypt; using a pure 'D' sound might make you sound like a news anchor.
Teste-toi
Choose the best response to show you agree 100% with your friend.
صاحبك: 'الفيلم ده كان ممل جداً، صح؟'
'بالظبط' is the only option that expresses agreement.
Fill in the blank to indicate the time is exactly 4:00.
الساعة دلوقتي أربعة _______.
'بالظبط' is used to specify exact time.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You are telling a tailor that the pants fit perfectly.
We use 'بالظبط' with 'مقاس' (size) to show a perfect fit.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural phrase.
أحمد: 'يعني إنت قصدك إننا لازم نغير الخطة؟' سارة: '_______، عشان نلحق نخلص.'
'بالظبط كده' is a common way to confirm a summary of your thoughts.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesصاحبك: 'الفيلم ده كان ممل جداً، صح؟'
'بالظبط' is the only option that expresses agreement.
الساعة دلوقتي أربعة _______.
'بالظبط' is used to specify exact time.
Situation: You are telling a tailor that the pants fit perfectly.
We use 'بالظبط' with 'مقاس' (size) to show a perfect fit.
أحمد: 'يعني إنت قصدك إننا لازم نغير الخطة؟' سارة: '_______، عشان نلحق نخلص.'
'بالظبط كده' is a common way to confirm a summary of your thoughts.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, it is informal/neutral. In formal writing, use 'بالضبط' or 'تماماً'.
Only if you mean 'precisely'. If you mean 'only', use 'bas'.
The root is D-B-T (ض ب ط), relating to regulation and control.
Say 'بالظبط كده' (bi-ḍ-ḍabṭ kida).
Yes, it is understood everywhere, though local synonyms exist.
Yes, to say someone is 'exactly' like someone else: 'هو زي أبوه بالظبط'.
No, it is an adverbial phrase and remains the same for everyone.
'بالظبط' is about precision/agreement; 'فعلاً' is about confirming reality (Indeed).
Yes, as an interjection: 'بالظبط! أنا كنت هقول كدة'.
Usually no, it is assimilated into the 'ḍ' or 'z' sound.
Expressions liées
تماماً
synonymCompletely/Exactly
فعلاً
similarIndeed/Really
بالمللي
specialized formTo the millimeter
على فكرة
contrastBy the way
زي ما بتقول
builds onAs you say
