peu

Peu is a common French word with several related uses centered on quantity or degree. As an adverb, it means to a small extent or not much. It can also function with a following noun in the form peu de to express a small amount or a small number, as in peu de temps (little time) or peu de gens (few people). In contrast, phrases using un peu convey a modest amount, such as un peu de sucre (a little sugar) or il parle un peu (he speaks a little).

Peu also appears in several fixed expressions. Peur of meaning is not relevant here; instead, peu à peu means gradually, little by little. Peu importe means it does not matter. These idioms are widely used in both spoken and written French and are productive in everyday language.

Morphology and nuance: peu is etymologically linked to the Latin paucus and has evolved to express scarcity or limited degree. Its interpretation is highly context-dependent. With negation or in contrastive contexts, peu often conveys a stronger sense of insufficiency, while un peu provides a softer, positive padding of quantity or extent.

Usage notes: peu de can accompany nouns to indicate a small amount, requiring agreement with the noun in number and gender, as in peu de temps, peu de possibilités. In negative or restrictive sentences, peu often aligns with phrases like je suis peu convaincu (I am not very convinced) or il y a peu de doute (there is little doubt). Overall, peu is a versatile term used to modulate meaning across a range of French expressions.