Various meanings of apenas
I just have a question about what apenas really means. I know that on this site it lists apenas as barely or as soon as, but I know a Columbian woman who says that it means just. I asked her if you could say "apenas pasó" as in it just happened and she said yes, but when I looked on translate it said acaba de pasar. Can someone please explain to me what it really means
2 Answers
Apenas ? barely (* also "barely after" when used with verbs)
Apenas tengo tiempo = I barely have time
Apenas se esfuerza = He/she barely makes an effort
Apenas hizo nada = He/she barely did anything
Apenas leo = I barely read
Apenas llegó... * = Barely after he/she arrived...
Apenas empezó todo... * = Barely after everything began...
P.D. I know some of the sentences deserve a better translation, but I am trying to make a point here.
Adverb 1. scarcely, hardly (casi no) apenas me puedo mover -> I can hardly move 2. only (tan sólo) hace apenas dos minutos -> only two minutes ago 3. as soon as (tan pronto como) apenas llegó, sonó el teléfono -> no sooner had he arrived than the phone rang
Adverb 4. Scarcely, hardly; with a deal of trouble. Apenas si pude levantarme -> I could hardly get up 5. No sooner than, as soon as. Apenas hube llegado cuando -> ., no sooner had I arrived than 6. Apenas? -> Just now?
