kaum
Translation
hardly, scarcely, barely
Examples
Ich habe kaum geschlafen.
I hardly slept.
Er konnte kaum atmen.
He could barely breathe.
Kaum war er zu Hause, klingelte das Telefon.
Scarcely was he home when the phone rang.
Grammar Patterns
kaum + ((verb)) hardly (verb) Ich habe kaum geschlafen.
kaum + ((noun)) hardly any (noun) Er hat kaum Geld.
Kaum + ((verb)) + ((subject)) scarcely/barely ... when ... Kaum war er da, ging er wieder.
Similar Words
Synonyms: fast nicht, gerade noch; Antonyms: oft, viel
Etymology
From Old High German 'kūmo' (miserably, weakly), related to 'Kummer' (grief).
Memory Tips
Think of 'calm' - when it's calm, there is 'hardly' any wind.