French translation of handful is 
poignée

Meaning of "handful" in English

The word "handful" refers to a small quantity that can be held in one hand. It is often used to describe a limited number of objects or a small amount of something. In a figurative sense, "handful" can also describe a person, usually a child, who is difficult to manage or control. It suggests a measure that is small enough to be single-handedly grasped or challenging to handle, whether it be in terms of objects or behavior.

Meaning of "poignée" in French

In French, the word "poignée" primarily refers to a grip or a handle, representing anything that can be held by the hand. It can also denote a small amount of something, similar to "handful" in English. Additionally, "poignée" is used in a figurative sense to describe a small group of people or objects. It conveys the idea of a manageable quantity or a part of something larger, alluding to the capacity of human grasp.

Pronunciation of "handful" in English

Phonetic Transcription: /ˈhænd.fʊl/

Pronunciation Variations: While the pronunciation remains largely consistent across different English-speaking regions, slight variations might occur in the vowel sounds, such as altering the "a" to sound more like an "e" in some accents.

Pronunciation of "poignée" in French

Phonetic Transcription: /pwa.ɲe/

Pronunciation Variations: The pronunciation of "poignée" typically remains consistent across various French-speaking regions. However, minor differences might be observed in the nasal quality of the "gn" sound depending on the regional accent.

Sentence examples in English and translation to French

1. She grabbed a handful of candies from the jar. (Elle a pris une poignée de bonbons dans le bocal.)
2. A handful of coins lay scattered on the table. (Une poignée de pièces était éparpillée sur la table.)
3. The toddler is a handful when he doesn't get his nap. (Le tout-petit est une poignée quand il ne fait pas sa sieste.)
4. We need a handful of volunteers for the event. (Nous avons besoin d'une poignée de bénévoles pour l'événement.)
5. He held a handful of sand from the beach. (Il tenait une poignée de sable de la plage.)
6. Only a handful of guests attended the party. (Seule une poignée d'invités ont assisté à la fête.)
7. She managed to catch a handful of rain in her palm. (Elle a réussi à attraper une poignée de pluie dans sa paume.)
8. The teacher has a handful of students who need extra help. (La professeure a une poignée d'élèves qui ont besoin d'aide supplémentaire.)
9. He threw a handful of rice at the newlyweds. (Il a lancé une poignée de riz sur les jeunes mariés.)
10. There's only a handful of tickets left for the concert. (Il ne reste qu'une poignée de billets pour le concert.)

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "handful" in English

Synonyms: few, some, small amount, couple, smattering, little.

Antonyms: many, plenty, multitude, abundance, lot, heap.

Similar Words: grip, small quantity, cluster, batch, portion, handful of trouble.

Synonyms, antonyms, and similar words for "poignée" in French

Synonyms: main, prise, poignée de main, manche, quantité.

Antonyms: -

Similar Words: poignée de terre, poignée de porte, poignée de riz, prise.

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