Comments on: Apenas

By: david carmona

david carmona — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:04:56 +0000

Acabo de levantarme de la siesta. (I just woke up from my nap).
Acabo de ver una película. (I´ve just finished watching a movie.)

By: Jonathon Nazaroff

Jonathon Nazaroff — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 02:45:27 +0000

In recent comments, there were some examples of “apenas,” but none for “acabo de.” Can someone give me an example of how to use this properly in a sentence in Spanish (preferably Spanish commonly used in Mexico, but either way is fine)?

By: david carmona

david carmona — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 14:33:49 +0000

In the last comment I explained the differences in usage on both sides of the Atlantic. I also mentioned in my first comment that not all of the senses of “apenas” are archaic, and certainly not everywhere. Many expressions that have changed in Spain are still widely used in LAm. That is a common phenomenon in language evolution. Obviously, the communities that still use “apenas” in those senses cannot see any archaism in it, but it is important to note that it will be perceived and used differently depending on the linguistic region.
It is also important to clarify when some uses, like the first example quoted by Andrés, are unnecessary.

By: Erica

Erica — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 02:04:31 +0000

I have lived in South America and Central America. Apenas is widely used and in no way archaic.

By: david carmona

david carmona — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:33:51 +0000

In the first example, “apenas” is completely redundant, since the meaning of “having just performed the action” is conveyed by “acabo de”. In that sense, “apenas” would be perceived as an archaic use in Spain, although I understand that in some Latin American countries it may be more acceptable, and used more frequently.
In the second example there is also a difference in usage between Spain and LAm. “Apenas” would be perceived as archaic again, and the adverb “solo/solamente” would be used instead.
Common usage of “apenas” in Castilian Spanish:
-Hace apenas cinco minutos que se fue. (He left barely five minutes ago).
-Apenas uso mi taladradora. (I barely ever use my power drill).