difficilement

with difficulty, barely

adverb dee-fee-seel-MAHN Rare

Usage Note

Difficilement modifies verbs to indicate something is done with effort or only barely. It often pairs with verbs like comprendre, accepter, or respirer. Unlike 'hardly' in English, it does not carry a negative sense but a sense of great effort required.

Examples

"Il respire difficilement après l'effort."

Natural Translation

He breathes with difficulty after the exertion.

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