handful
word
/ˈhændˌfʊɫ/
HAND-fuul
/hˈændfəl/
HAND-fuhl
Definition
The amount that fits in one hand; also used to mean a small number of people or things, or a person who is difficult to manage (informal).
Usage & Nuances
Often used in expressions like 'a handful of people/things' (small number), or 'he's a real handful' (someone difficult, usually a child). Informal for people. Avoid confusing with 'handful' as a strict measurement—it is rarely exact.
Spanish: puñado - unas pocas personas/cosas - alguien difícil (informal)Portuguese (BR): punhado - poucas pessoas/coisas - pessoa difícil (informal)Portuguese (PT): punhado - poucas pessoas/coisas - pessoa difícil (informal)Chinese (Simplified): 一把 - 少数 - 难对付的人（口语）Chinese (Traditional): 一把 - 少數 - 難對付的人（口語）Hindi: मुट्ठी भर - कुछ ही लोग/चीज़ें - मुश्किल व्यक्ति (अनौपचारिक)Arabic: حفنة - عدد قليل من الأشخاص/الأشياء - شخص صعب (غير رسمي)Bengali: এক-মুঠো - অল্প কয়েকজন/কিছু - দুর্ব্যবহারকারী (ব্যক্তি)Russian: горсть - несколько - непоседа (о человеке)Japanese: ひと握り - 少数 - 手に負えない人（口語）Vietnamese: một nắm - một vài - người khó kiểm soát (thông tục)Korean: 한 줌 - 몇몇 - 감당하기 힘든 사람(구어)Turkish: avuç - birkaçı - baş edilmesi zor kişi (gayri resmi)Urdu: مٹھی بھر - چند ایک - مشکل شخص (غیر رسمی)Indonesian: segenggam - beberapa - orang yang sulit diatur (informal)
Example Sentences
She grabbed a handful of nuts for a snack.
basic
Only a handful of students came to class today.
basic
Can you fit all those marbles in one handful?
basic
My little brother is a real handful sometimes.
natural
We only have a handful of minutes left before the meeting starts.
natural
Out of all the applicants, only a handful got interviews.
natural