Meaning
With great difficulty.
Cultural Background
In Alessandro Manzoni's 'I Promessi Sposi', the word 'stento' is used to describe the miserable conditions of the poor during the plague. The phrase 'arrivare a stento a fine mese' is a very common social commentary in Italy regarding the cost of living and stagnant wages. In Tuscany, you might hear 'stentare' used more as a verb than the adverbial phrase 'a stento' compared to the North. Neorealist films often use 'a stento' in dialogue to emphasize the grit and struggle of post-war Italian life.
Pair with 'Riuscire'
If you want to sound like a native, use 'Riuscire a stento a...' followed by an infinitive.
Not for 'Hardly Ever'
Don't use it for frequency. Use 'quasi mai' for 'hardly ever'.
Meaning
With great difficulty.
Pair with 'Riuscire'
If you want to sound like a native, use 'Riuscire a stento a...' followed by an infinitive.
Not for 'Hardly Ever'
Don't use it for frequency. Use 'quasi mai' for 'hardly ever'.
Sensory Use
Use it when describing bad Zoom calls or bad phone reception to sound very modern.
Test Yourself
Completa la frase con 'a stento'.
C'era così tanta nebbia che vedevo la strada _______.
In conditions of low visibility (nebbia), you see 'barely' or 'with difficulty'.
Quale frase è corretta?
Scegli l'opzione che usa correttamente l'espressione.
Eating with difficulty due to lack of appetite is a correct use of 'a stento'.
Completa il dialogo.
A: 'Hai sentito cosa ha detto il capo?' B: 'No, parlava a voce troppo bassa, l'ho sentito _______.'
If someone speaks too quietly, you can barely hear them.
Abbina la situazione all'uso di 'a stento'.
Situazione: Una persona anziana che sale molte scale.
Physical movement difficulty is described with 'camminare'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesC'era così tanta nebbia che vedevo la strada _______.
In conditions of low visibility (nebbia), you see 'barely' or 'with difficulty'.
Scegli l'opzione che usa correttamente l'espressione.
Eating with difficulty due to lack of appetite is a correct use of 'a stento'.
A: 'Hai sentito cosa ha detto il capo?' B: 'No, parlava a voce troppo bassa, l'ho sentito _______.'
If someone speaks too quietly, you can barely hear them.
Situazione: Una persona anziana che sale molte scale.
Physical movement difficulty is described with 'camminare'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with friends or in a business report.
No, it is a fixed phrase. Always use 'a stento'.
They are 99% the same. 'A stento' sounds slightly more like you are physically struggling.
No, use 'appena' for 'just now'. 'A stento' is for difficulty.
Related Phrases
a malapena
synonymbarely / with difficulty
per un pelo
similarby a hair / just barely
con fatica
similarwith effort
stentare a
builds onto struggle to [do something]
