What does peu in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word peu in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use peu in French.

The word peu in French means not much, a little, a little, little, few, You bet!, more or less, pretty much, around about, by very little, cheaply, around, about, roughly the same, just about all, slapdash, slap-dash, Wait a second!, Wait a minute!, very soon, with a bit of luck, is a bit hasty, is a bit premature, it's nothing, it's nothing really, That's putting it mildly, that's a bit much, it's a bit much, that's a bit short notice, it's a bit short notice, it's no big deal, that doesn't come along often, Make an effort! Get the lead out! Come on, think!, shortly, soon, in a while, in a little while, in a short while, by next to nothing, recently, very little difference, in a little bit of time, Try it and see!, Try it!, be reluctant to do, not be many , be few of, be a little hard of hearing, ... no less!, not pay much attention to , pay little attention to , take little notice of, very little, very few, Grow up!, Grow up, will you!, a little goes a long way, The Bare Necessities of Life, it is unlikely + [indicative], it is unlikely that + [indicative], it is a bit chilly, a short time ago, undesirable individual, it's a bit too obvious, leave little to the imagination, unskilled labour, not be in a hurry to do, not at all, we are so fragile, we are so insignificant, let's get to the point, rather proud, so proud, undesirable person, disreputable person, little by little, little by little, shortly afterwards, shortly after, shortly after, shortly before, just before, not long before, rather original, rather unusual, rather unusual, uncommon, inconclusive, a short time afterwards, shortly afterwards, unappealing, rather unflattering, not very flattering, no matter, never mind, not to worry, no matter, no matter what, it matters little to me, uncommon, unusual, rather unorthodox, not very orthodox, more or less, unlikely, unappealing, unappetizing, undesirable, disreputable, not to be proud of, not exactly to be proud of, not very scrupulous, unscrupulous, insubstantial, not widely followed, not widely adopted, clumsy sentence, unwieldy sentence, awkward sentence, in the event does , in the event that does, for so little, it wouldn't take much for to do, somewhat, Say that again!, little used road, only just, but only just, be content with very little, make a little money, make yourself a little money, just miss each other, shortly, very little, very little , not much, Not on your life!, Not for me!, too little, You're pushing it a bit!, a little bit, a tiny bit, a little, a little of everything, a bit of everything, a little bit of everything, a little of both, a bit less, a little bit less, a bit more, a little bit more, a bit more, a little bit more, a bit longer and, a few minutes more and, any longer and, a little bit + [adjective], a little bit of a + [noun], a little too much, a bit too much. To learn more, please see the details below.

Listen to pronunciation

Meaning of the word peu

not much

adverbe (trop petite quantité)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Cet enfant mange peu.
This child doesn't eat much.

a little

adverbe (dans une faible mesure)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Il mange un peu plus.
He is eating a little more.

a little

adverbe (une petite quantité)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Donne-moi un peu de vin, s'il te plaît.
Give me a little wine, please.

little

adverbe (quantité faible ou insuffisante) (uncountable)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Il y avait peu de monde sur la route. Il a peu d'amis.
He doesn't have many friends.

few

adverbe (quantité faible ou insuffisante)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Elle a perdu le peu d'amis qu'il lui restait.
She has lost the few friends remaining to her.

You bet!

adverbe (renforce une remarque)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Elle est jolie cette fille ? Un peu !
Is she a pretty girl? You bet!

more or less, pretty much, around about

locution adverbiale (quasiment, avec peu de différence)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Le bilan est à peu de choses près le même que celui de l'année dernière.

by very little

locution adverbiale (très proche du but)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Benjamin a échoué à l'examen à peu de choses près.

cheaply

locution adverbiale (sans trop dépenser)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Avec la liquidation de ce magasin, Julie a pu refaire sa garde robe à peu de frais.

around, about

locution adverbiale (environ)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
D'ici à Paris, il y a à peu près 45 km.
From here to Paris is about 45 km.

roughly the same

locution adverbiale (presque pareil)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

just about all

locution adverbiale (presque tout)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
C'est à peu près tout ce que je sais de cette histoire.

slapdash, slap-dash

nom masculin (approximation, travail mal terminé) (informal)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Cet employé ne termine jamais les choses, c'est toujours de l'à-peu-près !
That employee never finishes anything; it's always slapdash.

Wait a second!, Wait a minute!

interjection (Au fait !)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

very soon

locution adverbiale (très bientôt)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Ils se retrouveront avant peu pour une semaine de vacances à la mer.

with a bit of luck

locution adverbiale (en étant chanceux)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Avec un peu de chance, j'aurai mon train à l'heure.

is a bit hasty, is a bit premature

(familier (c'est se précipiter)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Enterrer ce projet, c'est aller un peu vite en besogne, il est seulement reporté.

it's nothing, it's nothing really

locution verbale (ce n'est pas grand-chose)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Ne nous remerciez pas, c'est peu de chose et cela nous fait plaisir.

That's putting it mildly

(bel euphémisme)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

that's a bit much, it's a bit much

(c'est excessif)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Prétendre tout savoir mieux que moi, c'est un peu fort.

that's a bit short notice, it's a bit short notice

(familier (ça manque de préparation)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Le prévenir seulement la veille, ça fait un peu court !

it's no big deal

(c'est sans importance) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

that doesn't come along often

(qui est rare)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
C'est un mari comme on en voit peu.
He's the kind of husband you don't see every day.

Make an effort! Get the lead out! Come on, think!

interjection (populaire (fais un effort !)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

shortly, soon

locution adverbiale (dans peu de temps)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Il faudra refaire le plein de la voiture d'ici peu.

in a while, in a little while, in a short while

locution adverbiale (très bientôt)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

by next to nothing

locution adverbiale (très près du but)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Elles se sont ratées de peu !
They missed each other by minutes!

recently

locution adverbiale (récemment)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Nous avons un nouveau chef depuis peu.
We got a new boss recently.

very little difference

nom féminin (variation limitée)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

in a little bit of time

locution adverbiale (très rapidement)

Try it and see!

(ironique (Je n'essaierais pas à ta place !) (ironic)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

Try it!

interjection (osez pour voir !)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Mal me parler ? Essayez un peu !

be reluctant to do

(ne pas souhaiter faire [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

not be many , be few of

locution verbale (être présent en petit nombre) (impersonal subject: there)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be a little hard of hearing

locution verbale (figuré, familier (mal entendre)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

... no less!

(familier, ironique (Ah oui, quand même !)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

not pay much attention to , pay little attention to , take little notice of

(accorder peu d'importance à [qch])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Je crois que Marie est déçue, elle a fait peu de cas de mon cadeau.

very little

locution adverbiale (vraiment pas beaucoup)

very few

locution adjectivale (pas beaucoup de) (with countable noun)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Il y avait fort peu de monde à cette réunion électorale.

Grow up!, Grow up, will you!

interjection (Sois mature !)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

a little goes a long way

(se satisfaire du nécessaire)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il s’occupe de sa famille et de sa maison. Il en faut peu pour être heureux.

The Bare Necessities of Life

(chanson de Disney) (Disney song)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce que je préfère dans le Livre de la jungle, c'est quand Baloo entonne « Il en faut peu pour être heureux ».

it is unlikely + [indicative], it is unlikely that + [indicative]

(cela serait étonnant que)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

it is a bit chilly

(il ne fait pas très chaud)

a short time ago

(peu auparavant, récemment)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il y a peu, tu aurais eu de la neige.

undesirable individual

nom masculin ([qqn] de mauvaise réputation) (pejorative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Cet homme a fait de la prison et est maintenant recherché pour meurtre, c'est un individu peu recommandable.

it's a bit too obvious

(figuré, familier (l'argument est grossier)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

leave little to the imagination

locution verbale (vêtements : montrer plus que voulu)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Le cycliste portait un short très serré qui laissait peu de place à l'imagination.

unskilled labour

nom féminin (travailleurs sans spécialité) (UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

not be in a hurry to do

locution verbale (faire [qch] sans enthousiasme)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Pierre montre toujours aussi peu d'empressement à faire la vaisselle.
Peter is never in a hurry to do the washing up.

not at all

locution adverbiale (aucunement)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Je n'ai ni peu ni prou participé à cette opération.

we are so fragile, we are so insignificant

(nous sommes vulnérables)

let's get to the point

(soyons concis)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Bon, parlons peu, mais parlons bien. Combien me coûterait ce projet alors ?

rather proud, so proud

locution adjectivale (litote pour très fier)

undesirable person, disreputable person

nom féminin ([qqn] à mauvaise réputation)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

little by little

locution adverbiale (progressivement)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Grégoire grandit peu à peu.

little by little

locution adverbiale (avec le temps)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
La folie gagnait l'artiste peu à peu.

shortly afterwards, shortly after

locution adverbiale (peu de temps après)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Monsieur le Maire est parti vers 14 h et nous sommes partis peu après.

shortly after

(peu de temps après [qch/qqn])

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Les secours, qui n'étaient pas loin, sont arrivés peu après l'accident.

shortly before, just before, not long before

locution adverbiale (peu de temps avant)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Il arrivera peu avant Noël.

rather original, rather unusual

locution adjectivale (inhabituel)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

rather unusual, uncommon

locution adjectivale (litote pour rare)

inconclusive

locution adjectivale (qui ne fonctionne pas)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

a short time afterwards, shortly afterwards

locution adverbiale (pas très longtemps après [qch])

unappealing

locution adjectivale (qui ne donne pas envie)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

rather unflattering, not very flattering

locution adjectivale (ne mettant pas en valeur)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Le journaliste a dressé un portrait peu flatteur du politicien.

no matter, never mind, not to worry

(c'est sans importance) (informal)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Ce n'est pas exactement ce que j'ai dit mais peu importe.

no matter, no matter what

(quel que soit)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Peu importe la matière, il est important d'apprendre ses leçons.
No matter what the subject, it is important to learn your lessons.

it matters little to me

(vieilli, soutenu (ça m'est égal)

Savoir qui est le meilleur ? Peu me chaut !

uncommon, unusual

locution adjectivale (litote pour rare, pas courant)

rather unorthodox, not very orthodox

locution adjectivale (souvent péjoratif (étrange, cavalier)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

more or less

locution adverbiale (littéraire (plus ou moins)

unlikely

locution adjectivale (vraisemblablement pas)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

unappealing, unappetizing

locution adjectivale (pas appétissant)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

undesirable, disreputable

locution adjectivale (de mauvaise réputation)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

not to be proud of, not exactly to be proud of

locution adjectivale (action : peu moral, honteux)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
L'Occupation fut une période peu reluisante.
The Occupation was not a period to be proud of.

not very scrupulous, unscrupulous

locution adjectivale (péjoratif (dont les pratiques sont douteuses)

insubstantial

locution adjectivale (fragile)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

not widely followed, not widely adopted

locution adjectivale (peu appliqué)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
La nouvelle réglementation reste cependant peu suivie.

clumsy sentence, unwieldy sentence, awkward sentence

nom féminin (phrase inutilement complexe)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

in the event does , in the event that does

locution conjonction (s'il venait à)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Pour peu qu'il pleuve, nous mangerions sous la véranda.

for so little

locution adverbiale (ce serait exagéré)

it wouldn't take much for to do

locution adverbiale (il ne manque pas grand chose pour que)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Pour un peu, il monterait sa boîte.
It wouldn't take much for him to set up his business.

somewhat

locution adverbiale (soutenu (un peu)

Elle est quelque peu susceptible.

Say that again!

(redis cela si tu l'oses !)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

little used road

nom féminin (route à faible trafic)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

only just, but only just

(avoir réussi de justesse)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
J'ai pu monter dans le train, mais il s'en est fallu de peu (que je ne le rate).

be content with very little

locution verbale (se satisfaire du minimum)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Elle n'est pas exigeante, elle se contente de peu.

make a little money, make yourself a little money

locution verbale (gagner un peu d'argent)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

just miss each other

locution verbale (faillir se voir)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Cinq minutes de plus et elles se voyaient ! Elles se sont manquées de peu.

shortly

locution adverbiale (bientôt)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Ce film sortira sous peu.

very little

locution adverbiale (bien peu)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Je dors très peu en ce moment.

very little , not much

(bien peu de [qch]) (uncountable noun)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Avec mon bébé, j'ai très peu de temps pour moi. Il y avait beaucoup de monde mais très peu de chaises.

Not on your life!, Not for me!

(je n'aime pas ça, ça ne m'intéresse pas) (informal)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")
Travailler le dimanche : merci, très peu pour moi ! Gagner une fortune mais être constamment sous pression et ne jamais voir ma famille ? Très peu pour moi !
Work on Sunday? Thanks, but no thanks!

too little

locution adverbiale (pas assez) (with uncountable noun or verb)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
J'ai trop peu d'argent pour cette sortie.

You're pushing it a bit!

(familier (Tu exagères) (colloquial)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

a little bit, a tiny bit

locution adverbiale (pas beaucoup) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Pardon, est-ce que tu pourrais te décaler un petit peu pour que je puisse m'asseoir aussi ?

a little

(pas beaucoup de [qch])

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Je souhaiterais un petit peu de moutarde.

a little of everything, a bit of everything, a little bit of everything

(un florilège)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
J'écoute un peu de tout comme musique.
When it comes to music, I listen to a bit of everything.

a little of both

(moitié moitié)

Salad or fries? A little of both, please.

a bit less, a little bit less

locution adverbiale (moins)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Je souhaiterais un peu moins de crème.

a bit more, a little bit more

locution adverbiale (en plus grand quantité) (informal)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Tu as assez de café ou tu en veux un peu plus ?

a bit more, a little bit more

locution adverbiale (plus) (informal)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Je prendrai un peu plus de sucre dans mon café.

a bit longer and, a few minutes more and, any longer and

locution conjonction (il s'en est fallu de peu que) (time)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Un peu plus et je manquais le bus.

a little bit + [adjective], a little bit of a + [noun]

(familier (quand même un peu) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Je suis un peu râleur sur les bords.

a little too much, a bit too much

locution adverbiale (légèrement en excès)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")

Let's learn French

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Related words of peu

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French (le français) is a Romance language. Like Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, it comes from popular Latin, once used in the Roman Empire. A French-speaking person or country can be called a "Francophone". French is the official language in 29 countries. French is the fourth most spoken native language in the European Union. French ranks third in the EU, after English and German, and is the second most widely taught language after English. The majority of the world's French-speaking population lives in Africa, with about 141 million Africans from 34 countries and territories who can speak French as a first or second language. French is the second most widely spoken language in Canada, after English, and both are official languages at the federal level. It is the first language of 9.5 million people or 29% and the second language of 2.07 million people or 6% of the entire population of Canada. In contrast to other continents, French has no popularity in Asia. Currently, no country in Asia recognizes French as an official language.