à peine

See also: apeine

French

Etymology

Inherited from Vulgar Latin *ad poenam. Compare Italian appena, etc.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /a pɛn/
  • Audio:(file)

Adverb

à peine

  1. barely, scarcely, hardly
    Il y a à peine trente personnes au concert ce soir. ― There are barely thirty people at this evening’s concert.
    À peine avait-il achevé ces paroles qu'une voiture s'arrêta devant la porte. ― Scarcely had he finished his words, when a car pulled up at the door.
    Nous avons à peine fait connaissance. ― We've only just met.

Usage notes

See also

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