How do you say "Hardly" in German?

"Hardly" in German is "Kaum". This phrase is commonly used in Germany.

🤏

How to Say ‘Hardly’ in German

Q: What does "Kaum" mean in English?

"Kaum" means "Hardly" in English. Usage tip: [kaum] often goes late in the sentence, after the thing it limits: [Ich höre dich kaum]. Same pattern: [Ich kenne ihn kaum].

Kaum

kowm

[kowm]

💬 Usage Tip: [kaum] often goes late in the sentence, after the thing it limits: [Ich höre dich kaum]. Same pattern: [Ich kenne ihn kaum].

Phrase Breakdown

Kaum

[kowm]

hardly

Means barely or hardly, useful when saying you cannot hear well.

Example

Kaum verständlich bei dieser Musik.

Hardly understandable with this music.

Get the Full Learning Experience

This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.

Pronunciation Feedback

AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent

Spaced Repetition

Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice

Immersive Roleplaying

Practice real conversations with AI partners

Custom Scenarios

Request lessons tailored to your specific needs

Get Full Lesson

What Learners Are Saying

“Berlin bureaucracy requires real German. This app got me from zero to handling my Anmeldung appointment in three weeks. My coworkers couldn’t believe it.”

Emma L., 27, UX Researcher

“Relocated to Munich with my family. The everyday scenarios — grocery shopping, doctor visits, school meetings — are exactly what we needed to settle in.”

Marcus J., 40, Engineer

“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”

Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager