un peu
/œ̃ pø/
In French, 'little bit' is translated as un peu.
un peu is the most general and widely used expression for 'little bit' in French.
Meaning: Translations (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of un (a) and peu (little/bit).
Which one should you use?
While un peu is used to modify an adjective or a verb, you must use un peu de when the phrase is followed by a noun, such as un peu de sel (a little bit of salt). For added emphasis to indicate an even smaller amount, you can use the common variation un petit peu, which means 'a tiny bit'.
How do you pronounce it?
/œ̃ pø/
Did you know?
- Using un peu before a positive adjective can sometimes actually mean 'very' in sarcastic or understated contexts.
- In casual conversation, French speakers often use un petit peu as a polite way to soften a request or a criticism.
- While un peu means 'a little', removing the article to say peu often changes the meaning to 'hardly any'.
Examples in context
- Je suais un peu.I was sweating a little bit.This sentence shows how to use un peu with a verb.Tatoeba #5647019 by nimfeo, translation #5245398 by CK
- C'est un peu bizarre.This is a little bit strange.This sentence demonstrates using un peu to modify an adjective.Tatoeba #6012492 by christian63, translation #5669126 by Hybrid
- Je m'inquiète un peu.I'm a little bit concerned.This sentence shows how un peu can modify a verb to express a degree of feeling.Tatoeba #13169617 by zogwarg, translation #7837605 by CK
- Je parle un peu français.I speak a little bit of French.
- Je peux te déranger un chouïa ?Can I bother you for a little bit?
- Avez-vous un peu de temps pour discuter ?Do you have a little bit of time to talk?
- Oui, bien sûr. Je peux consacrer un peu de temps à la discussion.Yes, of course. I can spare a little bit of time for the discussion.
- Il y a encore un peu de gâteau si tu veux.There's still a little bit of cake if you want.
- 72 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are at a café.
- ChloéTu veux un peu de sucre ?Do you want a little bit of sugar?
- GabrielOui, juste un peu, s'il te plaît.Yes, just a little bit, please.
- ChloéTiens, Gabriel, voici le sucre.Here, Gabriel, here is the sugar.
- GabrielMerci beaucoup, Chloé.Thank you very much, Chloé.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry un peu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
