Adverb · B1 · Spanish glossary
Apenas: barely, hardly
apenas
Pronunciation: ah-PEH-nahs (stress the capital letters)
Apenas means “barely, hardly” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: barely, hardly; as soon as
- How to say it: ah-PEH-nahs
- Level: Intermediate (B1)
What “apenas” means and how to use it
Apenas means “barely” or “hardly,” and it can mean “as soon as” in some regions.
Examples with audio
- Apenas hablo inglés.I barely speak English.
- Apenas llegué, llamé a mi mamá.As soon as I arrived, I called my mom.
- Apenas tengo tiempo libre.I hardly have any free time.
Usage tip
“Apenas” as “barely” is neutral. As “as soon as,” it is common in Latin America and works like “en cuanto.”
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “barely, hardly” in Spanish?
“barely, hardly” in Spanish is “apenas.” It is pronounced ah-PEH-nahs, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “apenas”?
Say ah-PEH-nahs. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.
Practice “apenas” for free
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