Exato!

You use it as a standalone reaction. You do not need a long sentence. When someone makes a point you like, just drop an Exato! into the conversation. You can also use it to confirm a specific detail. If someone asks, 'Is the meeting at five?' you say Exato. It sounds confident and clear. It is like the 'Correct' button on a game show.

Use it everywhere. It works at a fancy dinner or a loud bar. Use it when a friend finally understands your complicated coffee order. Use it in a business meeting to show you are following the logic. It is great for texting too. A quick Exato! saves you from typing a whole paragraph of agreement. It shows you are engaged and listening.

Do not use it if you are only halfway sure. If you say Exato and then change your mind, you will look a bit confused. Also, avoid using it if someone is sharing sad news. If a friend says, 'Life is just hard sometimes,' saying Exato! might sound a bit too enthusiastic. In those cases, a soft Pois é is much better. Don't be the person who agrees too loudly with a tragedy.

Portuguese speakers love to show they are paying attention. We use a lot of 'active listening' sounds. Exato is the king of these sounds. It comes from the Latin 'exactus,' meaning precise. In Brazil and Portugal, being precise is valued in debate. Using this word makes you sound sharp and intellectually present. It is a very 'clean' word with no hidden slang baggage.

You will often hear Exatamente. It is just the longer version, like 'Exactly' versus 'Exact.' Some people say Isso, exato! to add more flavor. In casual settings, you might hear Isso mesmo!. But Exato remains the classic choice. It is the little black dress of Portuguese vocabulary. It never goes out of style and fits every occasion.