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Apenas<\/em> is an adverb<\/strong> frequently used in the Spanish language, and one that has a multiplicity of meanings and applications<\/strong>.It\u2019s one of those words that require you to use the context to determine which meaning the speaker intends.My Spanish students would often complain about this phenomenon, until I reminded them how context-driven oral English is: just think of how confusing \u201ctwo\u201d, \u201ctoo\u201d, and \u201cto\u201d is!So, it is not my intention to confuse or frustrate you, but here are the four main meanings of the fickle yet utterly useful word apenas<\/em>.<\/p>\n The first translation of apenas <\/em>is \u201cbarely\u201d, \u201chardly\u201d, \u201cjust\u201d, \u201cscarcely\u201d<\/strong>; used in a negative way to express limitation or nearly not doing or having something.My English-Spanish dictionary provides the apt synonym casi no:<\/em> \u201calmost not\u201d. This seems like a good way to think about it.<\/p>\n Apenas alcanc\u00e9 el autob\u00fas<\/em>. — I barely caught the bus. (I almost didn\u2019t catch it.)<\/p>\n Apenas hay suficiente pizza para todos. —<\/em>There\u2019s just enough pizza for everyone. (Our supply of pizza is limited, we almost don\u2019t have enough.) <\/p>\n The second use of apenas<\/em> is \u201cjust\u201d in the sense of something happening recently.<\/strong> The time period you are referring to could vary in length.<\/p>\n Apenas sub\u00ed al autob\u00fas.<\/em> — I just got on the bus.<\/p>\n Apenas lo vimos hace una hora. — <\/em>We just saw him an hour ago.<\/p>\n Similarly, you can use apenas <\/em>to mean that something has just begun, and is currently in progress, \u201cjust\u201d or \u201cjust now.\u201d<\/strong>For example:<\/p>\n Apenas est\u00e1n saliendo del trabajo<\/em>. — They\u2019re just getting out of work.<\/p>\n Ya son las ocho, y apenas estamos comiendo. <\/em>— It\u2019s already 8 o\u2019clock, and we\u2019re<\/p>\n just now eating.\u201d<\/p>\n \n The fourth meaning of apenas<\/em> is \u201cat the same time as\u201d or \u201cjust as I (you, he, it, etc)\u2026\u2026.something happened.\u201d<\/strong>These constructions involve two actions, separated by y.<\/em> For example:<\/p>\n \n Apenas sal\u00ed de la casa y me llamaste por tel\u00e9fono<\/em> — Just as I was leaving my<\/p>\n house, you called me.<\/p>\n Apenas vi a Madonna y me desmay\u00e9. — <\/em>As soon as I saw Madonna, I fainted.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Apenas is an adverb frequently used in the Spanish language, and one that has a multiplicity of meanings and applications.It\u2019s one of those words that require you to use the context to determine which meaning the speaker intends.My Spanish students would often complain about this phenomenon, until I reminded them how context-driven oral English…<\/p>\n
\nApenas pod\u00eda oirte.<\/em> — I could hardly hear you. (I almost couldn\u2019t hear you.)<\/p>\n