French Conversation · Level 96
60 words
French word
péniblement
Pronunciation
IPA/penibləmɑ̃/
Meaning
- adverbwith difficulty
Example
Elle a appris péniblement le français.
She learned French with great difficulty.
More examples
Après l'opération, il s'en sort péniblement.
After the operation, he is barely pulling through.
Core concept
A learner inching forward through a task while each step costs time and effort.
Common phrases
s'en sortir péniblement
barely pull through
marcher péniblement
walk with difficulty
Similar words
difficilement: In a way that is difficult or not easily achieved.
tant bien que mal: Well enough to manage, despite imperfections.
Definition in French
Exprime qu'un acte se déroule péniblement, c'est-à-dire avec effort, lenteur ou inconfort.
Word origin
The adverb péniblement comes from pénible with the French adverbial suffix -ment, while pénible traces back to Latin poenibilis and poena, linked with suffering or penalty.
Usage tips
- In péniblement, final -ment has the French nasal sound /mɑ̃/, and the final t is silent.
Other meanings
- painfullyadverb
Opposites
- facilementeasilyadverb
Related words
- pénibledifficultadjective
- pénibilitédifficultynoun