Das ist genau richtig.

to be

Breakdown of Das ist genau richtig.

• das: that
• richtig: right
• genau: carefully

Questions & Answers about Das ist genau richtig.

In Das ist genau richtig., what exactly does das mean? Does it mean this, that, or it?

Das here is a demonstrative pronoun. It can usually be translated as:

• That is exactly right.
• This is exactly right.
• Sometimes also just It’s exactly right.

Which English word you choose (this/that/it) depends on the context and what you’re pointing to or talking about, not on a different German word. Das is the normal way in German to refer back to:

• a whole sentence or idea
• something you just talked about
• something you can point at

So if someone gives an answer and you respond Das ist genau richtig., you’re saying That’s exactly right. about what they said.

What is the difference between das and es in a sentence like this? Could I say Es ist genau richtig.?

Both das and es can refer to something neutral like it/this/that, but they are not always interchangeable.

• Das ist genau richtig.

  • More pointing / demonstrative.
  • Often used to comment on something just said or shown.
  • Feels a bit more emphatic, like That is exactly right.

• Es ist genau richtig.

  • More like a neutral it.
  • Often used when the subject is more abstract or already grammatically introduced (e.g. Das Buch ist teuer. Es ist genau richtig für dich.).

In everyday speech, Das ist genau richtig. is the more typical reply when evaluating someone’s statement or solution.