Learn how to say "hardly, hardly ever, barely" in Spanish
To express hardly, hardly ever or barely, in Spanish we use the adverbs apenas or casi. They are synonyms but work in a slightly different way.
Apenas
You can place apenas right in front of the verb as seen in the examples above. Or you can construct the sentence with a verb in the negative, like this:
For a double negative sentence, you need to put no in front of the verb and then place apenas after the verb. This follows the same structure as nunca: Using nunca in Spanish negative sentences
In summary, you have two options:
- apenas + affirmative sentence
- no + verb + apenas
Casi
Casi has the same functionality as apenas but with the difference that it always needs a verb in negative to mean hardly/barely. For example:
The sentence does not make sense without the negation:
Casi tengo tiempo para visitar a mis padres.
You can't change the order either:
No tengo tiempo casi para visitar a mis padres.
You must place "no" after "casi", never before:
Casi no tengo tiempo para leer. (correct)
No casi tengo tiempo para leer. (incorrect)
Note that to say hardly ever we use "casi nunca":
casi no + verb
To learn about other possible meanings of apenas and casi, see also:
Using por poco/casi/un poco más y + present tense for nearly/almost in Spanish
En cuanto/apenas/tan pronto como for as soon as in Spanish (subordinate time clauses)
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Examples and resources
Nosotras casi nunca nos peleamos. Nos llevamos estupendamente.We hardly/hardly ever argue. We get on really well.
Casi no puedo ver a los actores. No he traído mis prismáticos.I can barely see the actors. I haven't brought my binoculars.
Casi no visito a mis padres porque viven a 300 kilómetros de aquí.I hardly ever visit my parents because they live 300 kilometres away.
