What is the Spanish word for "barely"?

Learn how to say "barely" in Spanish with examples and practice

English

barely

Spanish

apenas

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Examples of how to use "barely" in Spanish

English
I could barely hear what he was saying.
Spanish
Apenas podía escuchar lo que él decía.
English
She barely heard the door close.
Spanish
Ella apenas escuchó cerrar la puerta.
English
He barely passed the difficult exam.
Spanish
Él apenas aprobó el examen difícil.
English
The cat barely fit in the box.
Spanish
El gato apenas cabía en la caja.
English
They barely arrived before the show started.
Spanish
Apenas llegaron antes de que comenzara el espectáculo.

Learning tip: Pay attention to how the word "barely" is used in different contexts. This will help you understand when and how to use its Spanish translation naturally.

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I could barely hear what he was saying.

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What is the Spanish word for "barely"? | Habladoo