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
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Meanings
eine Handvoll
a handful
A small, manageable number of people or things.
EXAMPLE
Nur eine Handvoll Leute wusste von dem geheimen Plan.
Only a handful of people knew about the secret plan.
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 Häufchen
little pile / dog poop
Handvoll and Häufchen can both refer to a small group of people. Handvoll primarily emphasizes the small number. Häufchen presents the people more as a group standing close together, seeming insignificant, or looking somewhat lost.
Handvoll
Nur eine Handvoll Zuschauer wartete vor dem Eingang.
Only a handful of spectators were waiting outside the entrance.
Häufchen
Ein kleines Häufchen Zuschauer stand verloren vor dem Eingang zusammen.
A small group of spectators stood huddled together outside the entrance, looking lost.
In real life
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