peu/pø/
noun / adverb · A2 · Frequency 174
nounmasculine
Meanings
a small amount, a little (indicating a very small quantity)
As a noun, peu denotes a small quantity, commonly used to express a limited amount or degree.
Examples
Le peu de lumière rendait la lecture difficile.
The small amount of light made reading difficult.
Avec le peu d'argent qu'il lui restait, elle a acheté du pain.
With the little money she had left, she bought bread.
Le peu de temps disponible ne permettait pas une longue discussion.
The small amount of time available did not allow for a long discussion.
Collocations
- un peu de tempsa little time
Common mistakes
J'ai peu des amis.
J'ai peu d'amis.
When peu indicates a small quantity, it is normally followed directly by de, reduced to d' before a vowel; the definite article des is not used in a general statement.
Related words
synonymquantitéquantity
- antonymbeaucoupa lot, much
adverb
Meanings
little; not very much/many
Common adverb used to indicate a small quantity or degree.
not very; hardly
Used to modify adjectives or adverbs to indicate a slight degree or change.
Examples
Elle mange peu le soir.
She eats little in the evening.
Il reste peu de pain après le dîner.
There is little bread left after dinner.
Nous avons peu avancé depuis ce matin.
We have made little progress since this morning.
Collocations
- peu de tempslittle time
- peu importeit doesn't matter
Common mistakes
Il y a peu personnes ici.
Il y a peu de personnes ici.
When peu means “little” or “few,” it must be followed by de before a noun; peu personnes is not correct.