A question about the word apenas

[poli]

I have often heard apenas used as, as soon as. My question is, would it be OK to say Apenas llegar te perparo un té, or must you say apenas lleguemos te preparo un té. I believe I hear the former more frequently, but I would like to know for certain.

[Rusty]

When its meaning is «tan pronto como» (as soon as), apenas functions as the conjunction of a subordinate clause that establishes a time.

Apenas llegas, te preparo un té. = As soon as you arrive, I'll make you some tea.
Apenas llegaron, fuimos de compras. = As soon as they arrived, we went shopping.

[poli]

Thank you. I'm surprised it doesn't take the subjunctive. I believe I have heard apenas llegar..., and I thought it may translate to, upon arriving. Perhaps it is a regionalism.

[AngelicaDeAlquezar]

"Apenas llegar" is not common, but it can be used. In many regions where it's never used it will be understood in context anyway. :)