01
die Handvoll
handful
An amount of something that fits into an open hand.
example
Sie gab dem Pferd eine Handvoll Hafer.
She gave the horse a handful of oats.
die Handvoll
handful
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 02
Usage tips
Compound word
The word is made up of 'Hand' (hand) and 'voll' (full). So it literally describes an amount that fills one hand.
EXAMPLE
Er nahm eine Handvoll Kirschen vom Baum.
He took a handful of cherries from the tree.
Figurative use
In the figurative meaning 'a small number', 'eine Handvoll' (a handful) is always used with a plural noun. It emphasizes that the group is small and manageable.
EXAMPLE
Am Ende der Veranstaltung waren nur noch eine Handvoll Gäste da.
At the end of the event, only a handful of guests were still there.
Context clue
The literal meaning refers to physical things that you can hold in your hand (e.g. nuts, sand). The figurative meaning refers to a small, countable number of people or objects.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe eine Handvoll Münzen in meiner Tasche.
I have a handful of coins in my pocket.
Compare with
Handvoll vs einige
some / several
'einige' and 'eine Handvoll' can both mean a small number. 'einige' is neutral and very general: it only says that there are more than two, but not very many. 'eine Handvoll' emphasizes more strongly that the number is small and manageable. It often sounds a bit more vivid and personal. The words can be confused when you simply want to say 'not many'. For normal quantity statements, 'einige' is usually more natural; 'eine Handvoll' fits well when you want to especially emphasize the small amount.
Handvoll
Bei dem Treffen waren nur eine Handvoll Leute im Raum.
There were only a handful of people in the room at the meeting.
einige
Für den Abend erwartet Maria einige Gäste.
Maria is expecting some guests for the evening.
In real life
Loading video examples...