Translation of German word "kaum" to English
kaum
/kaʊm/
Meaning
VerbVery close to, but not quite.
How to use
kaum ('hardly / scarcely / barely') is an adverb (not a verb). Ich kann dich kaum hören — I can barely hear you. Kaum zu glauben — Hard to believe.
🇬🇧 English
almost
Example
Ich bin kaum 20 Jahre alt.
I am almost 20 years old.
Die Stadt ist kaum bewohnt.
The city is almost uninhabited.
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Common phrases
- kaum zu glauben— hard / difficult to believe
- kaum noch— hardly any more / barely left
This concept in other languages
📖 Related grammar
Frequency rank: #891 in German
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "kaum"?▼
The German word "kaum" is defined as: "Very close to, but not quite."
What does the German word "kaum" mean?▼
The German word "kaum" means "almost" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "kaum"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "kaum" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "kaum"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Ich bin kaum 20 Jahre alt." (which translates as "I am almost 20 years old.").
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