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"Seldom" is an adverb which is often translated as "rara vez", and "scarcely" is an adverb which is often translated as "apenas". Learn more about the difference between "seldom" and "scarcely" below.
seldom(
sehl
-
duhm
)An adverb is a word that describes a verb, an adjective, or other adverbs (e.g., to run quickly, very tired).
1. (rarely)
b. casi nunca
Although I live close to the beach, I seldom go swimming.Aunque vivo cerca de la playa, casi nunca salgo a nadar.
c. pocas veces
Very seldom have I seen gardens as beautiful as this one.Muy pocas veces he visto jardines tan hermosos como este.
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.
