Juste et exact · five useful patterns
1 · A correct answer
Both adjectives work when the answer is accurate.
| une réponse juste | a correct answer |
| un calcul exact | an accurate calculation |
Ta réponse est juste.Your answer is correct.
Ta réponse est exacte.Your answer is correct.
2 · A fair decision
Juste evaluates fairness. A decision can be fair or unfair.
| un partage juste | a fair division |
| une décision injuste | an unfair decision |
Elle écoute les deux personnes avant de prendre une décision juste.She listens to both people before making a fair decision.
Ce n’est pas juste !That’s not fair!
3 · An exact detail
Exact focuses on accuracy or precision, often against an approximation.
| le montant exact | the exact amount |
| l’adresse exacte | the exact address |
Quelle est la date exacte du rendez-vous ?What is the exact date of the appointment?
Je connais l’heure exacte de son arrivée.I know the exact time of her arrival.
4 · Just or only
As an adverb, juste stays unchanged. It can limit the request or amount.
| juste une minute | just a minute |
J’ai juste une question.I just have one question.
Nous avons juste dix minutes.We only have ten minutes.
5 · Only just happened
Venir juste de + infinitive places an event in the very recent past.
Elle vient juste d’arriver.She has only just arrived.
Nous venons juste de terminer.We have only just finished.