Apenas means just right now?

Question

Apenas means just right now? Does apenas mean just right now like in just happened? apenas llegaron means they just got here

apenas comieron means they just ate?

I think in the right context, it could also mean, 'barely'. - Seb79, Apr 2, 2011

Yes, it often means "barely made it" in its usage in Northern NM. - Dnormq, Apr 2, 2011

Answer 1

Mis amigos de Tailandia apenas llegaron. *** My friends from Thailand just got here/just arrived.

Estoy preocupado por Mara; apenas come.*** I'm concerned about Mara; she barely eats.

Me llamas apenas llegues.*** Call me as soon as you get here/arrive.

"Apenas" doesn´t work here with "llegar." "Al momento que llegues" would be better - 005faa61, Apr 2, 2011

Answer 2

It could mean something close to that; it depends on the context. On the computer monitor about ten inches above your question there is a box labelled Translate. You can type in your word and the translations provide some sample phrases that might help you. (I love examples when I'm trying to figure out the right word choice.) Good luck!

Now is that 10 inches above the title of the question, the beginning of the question, the center of the main body of the question, or the very end of the question? - 005faa61, Apr 2, 2011

Answer 3

SO apenas comieron means they just ate?

Answer 4

¡Hola!, Mestizo:

There seems to be agreement that "apenas" will work in the way you want.

An alternative suggestion is to use the figure of speech "Acabar + de + infinitive" which means to 'have just done what the verb infinitive conveys." Like this:

Acaban de llegar = They just arrived.

Acaban de comer = They just ate.

Muchos saludos/Best regards,

Moe