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"Barely" is an adverb which is often translated as "apenas", and "rarely" is an adverb which is often translated as "rara vez". Learn more about the difference between "barely" and "rarely" below.
barely(
behr
-
li
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
1. (hardly)
a. apenas
I can barely see anything. Where are my glasses?Apenas puedo ver. ¿Dónde están mis anteojos?
Jeez, Fred, this coffee is barely drinkable.Por Dios, Fred, este café apenas se puede beber.
2. (scantily)
a. escasamente
My bedroom is barely furnished because I am a minimalist.Mi habitación está escasamente amueblada porque soy minimalista.
rarely(
rehr
-
li
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
a. rara vez
The restaurant business keeps us so busy we rarely take a vacation.El negocio del restaurante nos mantiene tan ocupados que rara vez tomamos vacaciones.
b. casi nunca
I rarely arrive late to school, but today there was a huge accident on the way there.Casi nunca llego tarde a la escuela, pero hoy hubo un choque enorme de camino.
c. pocas veces
She rarely eats fast food because she's a professional athlete.Pocas veces come comida rápida porque es atleta profesional.
d. raramente
The coach revealed the starting lineup against Leones Negros, something he rarely does.El entrenador reveló la formación inicial ante Leones Negros, cosa que raramente hace.
