a bit

un peu

Faire quelque chose en petite quantité ou pendant peu de temps.

En anglais simple : To do something by a small amount or for a short time.

• Move a bit to the left.
• We waited a bit before leaving.
• Could you turn the music down a bit?

Synonymes : a little, slightly

Contraires : a lot

Expressions courantes : wait a bit, move a bit, a bit more, a bit tired

un peu

Une petite quantité d’une chose dont on a déjà parlé.

En anglais simple : A small amount of something already mentioned.

• Would you like some cake? I’ll have a bit.
• She saved a bit for her brother.
• There was only a bit left after lunch.

Synonymes : a little, a small amount

Contraires : a lot

Expressions courantes : just a bit, save a bit, take a bit

beaucoup, pas mal

Une grande quantité présentée comme petite, pour plaisanter ou pour en minimiser l’importance.

En anglais simple : A large amount, described as small to make a joke or avoid saying how much.

• Did you make a mess? Just a bit—the kitchen was covered in flour.
• Was there much damage? A bit—the entire roof collapsed.
• Did he spend much? Just a bit—he bought the whole hotel.

Synonymes : a lot, a great deal

Contraires : a little

Expressions courantes : just a bit, quite a bit

un peu

Une faible quantité de quelque chose.

En anglais simple : A small amount of something.

• I need a bit of help.
• She added a bit of cheese to the soup.
• Could you lend me a bit of money?

Comment l'utiliser : a bit of + noun (Add a bit of milk to the sauce.)

Synonymes : a little, a small amount

Contraires : a lot

Expressions courantes : a bit of something, a bit of luck, a bit of sugar

un peu, légèrement

À un degré faible ou avec peu d’intensité.

En anglais simple : To a small degree.

• The room is a bit warm.
• I felt a bit nervous before the interview.
• Could you speak a bit more slowly?

Comment l'utiliser : a bit + adjective/adverb (We arrived a bit late.)

Synonymes : slightly, a little

Expressions courantes : a bit cold, a bit late, a bit worried