preciso/a
adjectiveCEFR B2
What does “preciso/a” mean in English?
1.precise — exact and accurate; sharply defined
precise — exact and accurate; sharply defined (dato preciso, instrucción precisa)
2.precise, accurate
precise, accurate (ser más preciso en el uso de los términos — fine calibration of language and argument)
3.necessary
necessary (es preciso que + subjunctive — impersonal necessity; different sense from the precision meaning)
4.precise, exact; also: necessary
precise, exact; also: necessary (ser preciso + inf — formal synonym for ser necesario)
Example sentences
Para evitar malentendidos, conviene ser más preciso en el uso de los términos clave del debate.
To avoid misunderstandings, it is advisable to be more precise in the use of key debate terms.
El informe hace una distinción muy precisa entre correlación y causalidad, lo que es metodológicamente correcto.
The report makes a very precise distinction between correlation and causality, which is methodologically correct.
Es preciso que todos los participantes conozcan las reglas del debate antes de que comience la sesión.
It is necessary for all participants to know the rules of the debate before the session begins.
How to use it
Preciso as an adjective means 'precise', 'exact', or 'accurate' in a qualitative sense — a precise term, a precise claim, a precise description. It can also mean 'necessary' in a fixed expression: 'es preciso que + subjunctive' (it is necessary that…). At B2 the opinion/debate usage focuses on precision of language and argumentation: 'una definición precisa', 'un análisis más preciso'. Don't confuse with exacto (exact in a numerical/factual sense) — preciso implies fine calibration of language and thought.
Common mistake
Preciso has two distinct uses: (1) adjective = precise/accurate, (2) es preciso que = it is necessary that + subjunctive. The second use is a subjunctive trigger, like es necesario que or es importante que. Don't confuse with exacto (exact, referring to numbers or facts: 'la hora exacta') — preciso relates to quality of expression and reasoning. Also: precisar (verb) = to specify/to clarify: 'Quisiera precisar que…' is a very useful B2 qualifying phrase.