un peu
/œ̃ pø/
The English phrase "a bit" is translated into French as un peu.
un peu is used to express a small amount or degree of something.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the masculine indefinite article un (a/one) and the adverb peu (little).
Which one should you use?
While un peu translates to "a little", if you want to say "a bit of" or "a little bit of" followed by a noun, you must add de (for example, un peu de sel for "a bit of salt").
Is it said differently in some regions?
Un chouia is a colloquial and regional phrase used to convey the meaning of a bit.
How do you pronounce it?
/œ̃ pø/
What mistakes should you avoid?
When following un peu with a noun, do not forget to include de. Avoid saying un peu sel and instead say un peu de sel.
Did you know?
- While un peu is standard, the colloquial term un chouia is actually borrowed from the Arabic word shwayya, meaning 'a little'.
- In French, adding un peu to a phrase can be used to soften a criticism or a request to make it sound more polite and less demanding.
- The word peu is the descendant of the Latin 'paucus', which is also the ancestor of the English word 'paucity', meaning a smallness of quantity.
Examples in context
- Ça aide un peu.That helps a bit.This sentence shows how to use un peu to describe a degree of help.Tatoeba #5289395 by Aiji, translation #5158733 by CK
- Attends un peu !Wait a bit!This sentence shows how to use un peu as a command for a short duration.Tatoeba #1849920 by sacredceltic, translation #6204897 by sundown
- J'ai un peu faim.I'm a bit hungry.This sentence shows how to use un peu to describe a degree of hunger.Tatoeba #1050962 by sacredceltic, translation #1048297 by CK
- Je parle un peu français.I speak a bit of French.
- Je comprends un petit peu l'espagnol.I understand a little bit of Spanish.
- J'attends juste un poil plus longtemps.I'm waiting just a little bit longer.
- 586 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are at a cafe.
- LéaTu veux un peu de sucre dans ton café ?Do you want a bit of sugar in your coffee?
- HugoNon merci, je n'en veux pas du tout.No thanks, I don't want any at all.
- LéaD'accord, tu veux un peu d'eau à la place ?Okay, do you want a bit of water instead?
- HugoOui, ce serait parfait, merci.Yes, that would be perfect, thanks.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry un peu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries peu, un, un peu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
