juste un peu
The French phrase for "just a little" is juste un peu.
The phrase juste un peu is used to describe a small amount or a short duration of something.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of juste (just/only), un (a/one) and peu (little/bit).
Which one should you use?
While juste un peu emphasizes the smallness (just a little), un petit peu is a very common, slightly more idiomatic way to say "a little bit" without the emphasis of "just".
Did you know?
- In some French dialects, people may replace un peu with un chouia, a term borrowed from Arabic. This is widely understood across France as an even smaller amount than un peu.
- In France, if you are offered more food and say un petit peu, you might be given a significantly larger portion than you expected. The phrase is often used as a polite social modesty rather than a literal measurement.
- The word juste is a direct descendant of the Latin word iūstus, which originally referred to justice and fairness. Over time its meaning shifted from 'righteous' to 'exact' and finally to 'only'.
Examples in context
- Juste un peu de patience.Just a little more patience.This sentence shows how to use juste un peu with a noun.Tatoeba #13620 by Julien_PDC, translation #31299 by Dejo
- Donnez-m'en juste un peu.Give me just a little.This sentence demonstrates a request using juste un peu.Tatoeba #15088 by trotter, translation #33042 by CK
- Je m'ennuie juste un peu.I'm just a little bored.This sentence shows how to use juste un peu to modify an adjective.Tatoeba #1128910 by sacredceltic, translation #1127840 by CK
- Je parle un peu français.I speak a little French.
- Je suis juste un peu fatigué.I'm just a little tired.
- J'ai juste un peu de temps libre aujourd'hui.I have just a little free time today.
- Je parle un p'tit peu français.I speak a little bit of French.
- Je suis un p'tit peu en retard.I'm running a little bit late.
- J'ai juste un chouia de patience.I have just a tad of patience.
- Il fait juste un chouia froid aujourd'hui.It's just a little bit cold today.
- 25 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Hugo are at a cafe.
- LéaTu veux du lait dans ton café ?Do you want milk in your coffee?
- HugoOui, juste un peu, s'il te plaît.Yes, just a little, please.
- LéaD'accord, je te le verse.Okay, I'll pour it for you.
- HugoMerci, Léa.Thanks, Léa.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries juste, peu, un, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
