apenas
/aˈpenas/
The English word 'barely' is translated into Spanish as apenas. If unsure, use apenas. It is also spelled malavez. Wiktionary also lists malavés and con las justas.
Meaning: almost not at all (adv)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| apenas | /aˈpenas/ | |
| malavés | /malaˈbes/ | |
| malavez | /malaˈbeθ/ /malaˈbes/ |
alternative form |
| con las justas | /kon las ˈxustas/ | |
| a malavés | /a malabes/ (from spelling rules) | |
| a malavez | /a malabeθ/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /a malabes/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
|
| de papayita | /de papaʝita/ (from spelling rules) | Colombia |
The most common way to express 'barely' or 'hardly' in almost all Spanish-speaking contexts is apenas.
Which one should you use?
While apenas is the standard, con las justas is used specifically to emphasize that something was achieved by the narrowest of margins, often implying a struggle or a close call. In contrast, the colloquialism de papayita describes something done with extreme ease, functioning more like 'with no trouble at all' than the restrictive 'barely'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Colombia, the colloquialism de papayita is used to describe something done with extreme ease.
How does it change in a sentence?
Depending on the context and tense, apenas can also mean 'as soon as'.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈpenas/
Did you know?
- The word apenas is actually a legal survivor of a linguistic penalty, descending from the Latin phrase meaning 'at the level of a penalty' or 'at the price of'.
- In Colombia, while de papayita means something was done easily, it refers to the 'papaya' fruit, which is often seen as a symbol of something easy to take or obtain.
Examples in context
- Apenas conozco a Tom.I barely know Tom.This sentence is useful for using apenas to express a low level of familiarity.Tatoeba #2314646 by marcelostockle, translation #2293498 by CK
- Él apenas me hablaba.He barely spoke to me.This sentence is useful for using apenas to describe a limited action in the past.Tatoeba #4553894 by swyter, translation #4543769 by Hybrid
- Él apenas me habla ya.He barely speaks to me anymore.This sentence is useful for using apenas to describe a limited action in the present.Tatoeba #3791289 by Seael, translation #3791282 by Hybrid
- El proyecto fue aprobado apenas por la mínima mayoría de votos.The project was barely approved by a minimal majority of votes.
- A duras penas logró terminar el trabajo antes del plazo límite.He/she barely managed to finish the work before the deadline.
- Por los pelos llegamos a tiempo para el concierto.We barely made it on time for the concert.
- 84 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are walking through a very dark park at night.
- JavierNo veo nada, apenas puedo caminar.I can't see anything, I can barely walk.
- MaríaTen cuidado, Javier, hay muchas piedras.Be careful, Javier, there are many stones.
- JavierLa linterna apenas funciona.The flashlight barely works.
- MaríaVamos con calma para no caernos.Let's go slowly so we don't fall.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “barely” translations and entries apenas, malavés, malavez, con las justas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries apenas, de, malavés, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
