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"Little" is an adjective which is often translated as "pequeño", and "scarcely" is an adverb which is often translated as "apenas". Learn more about the difference between "little" and "scarcely" below.
little(
lih
-
duhl
)An adjective is a word that describes a noun (e.g., the big dog).
1. (size)
2. (younger)
3. (young)
4. (not much)
5. (trivial)
a. insignificante
Don't get so upset over such a little matter.No te alteres tanto por un asunto tan insignificante.
An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
6. (not much)
a. poco
The students who studied little were relieved that the test was so easy.Los alumnos que estudiaron poco estaban aliviados que el examen estuvo tan fácil.
7. (somewhat)
8. (not often)
A pronoun is a word that stands in for a noun (e.g., she).
scarcely(
skehrs
-
li
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
1. (only just)
a. apenas
Edith had scarcely been in the shower for two minutes when the hot water stopped coming out.Edith llevaba apenas dos minutos en la ducha cuando dejó de salir agua caliente.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Scarcely any house in the area has a swimming pool.Casi ninguna casa de la zona tiene piscina.
We scarcely knew what to make of it.No sabíamos qué pensar.
2. (rarely)
a. apenas
She lives alone, and entire days go by with her scarcely talking to anyone.Vive sola y pasan días enteros en los que apenas habla con nadie.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
I have scarcely ever seen her wearing no makeup.Rara vez la vi yo sin maquillaje.
We scarcely ever go to the beach these days because we're so busy.Casi nunca vamos a la playa estos días, porque es que estamos tan ocupados.
3. (not at all)
a. ni mucho menos
The painting in the hotel is scarcely what I would call art.El cuadro del hotel no es ni mucho menos lo que yo llamaría arte.
