French translation of handsel is 
handsel

Meaning of "handsel" in English

"Handsel" refers to a gift given for good luck or as a token of good wishes at the beginning of a new venture or year. It can also denote the first sale of the day or a small amount of money given in advance as part of a payment. The term originates from the Old English word "handselen," which implies handing over a token of good fortune. Traditionally, it was used to denote the first transaction in a shop, believed to bring future prosperity.

Meaning of "handsel" in French

In French, "handsel" has a similar connotation to English, regarding gifts or tokens given at the start of something new, intended to bring good luck. The word "handsel" isn't commonly used in modern French but may occasionally appear in historical contexts or translations. Instead, terms like "étrennes" or "cadeau porte-bonheur" are often used to convey the idea of a good luck gift.

Pronunciation of "handsel" in English

Phonetic Transcription: /ˈhænd.səl/

Pronunciation Variations: There isn’t much variation in the pronunciation of "handsel" across different English dialects. The focus remains on the initial syllable with a slight emphasis on 'han' followed by a softer 'sel'.

Pronunciation of "handsel" in French

Phonetic Transcription: /ˈhænd.səl/ (though it’s not typically used in French).

Pronunciation Variations: Since "handsel" is not standard in French, there are no regional variations. Instead, equivalents like "étrennes" (/e.tʁɛn/) are more common and pronounced differently depending on the region.

Sentence examples in English and translation to French

1. He gave a handsel to his employees at the start of the new project. (Il a donné une étrenne à ses employés au début du nouveau projet.)
2. The shopkeeper hoped today’s handsel would bring more business. (Le commerçant espérait que l'étrenne d'aujourd'hui apporterait plus d'affaires.)
3. As a handsel, she gifted a lucky charm to her friend. (Comme étrenne, elle a offert un porte-bonheur à son ami.)
4. Receiving a handsel is a tradition that dates back centuries. (Recevoir une étrenne est une tradition qui remonte à des siècles.)
5. They exchanged handsels during the New Year celebration. (Ils ont échangé des étrennes pendant la célébration du Nouvel An.)
6. The first handsel of the day was quickly followed by more sales. (La première étrenne de la journée a été rapidement suivie par d'autres ventes.)
7. He believes giving a handsel ensures prosperity throughout the year. (Il croit que donner une étrenne assure la prospérité tout au long de l'année.)
8. Her grandmother’s handsel was always a homemade dessert. (L'étrenne de sa grand-mère était toujours un dessert fait maison.)
9. A handsel can sometimes be a simple handwritten note. (Une étrenne peut parfois être une simple note manuscrite.)
10. The tradition of handsel is still alive in some communities. (La tradition des étrennes est encore vivante dans certaines communautés.)

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

Synonyms: gift, token, present, offering, gratuity, bonus, advance, tip, earnest, pledge.

Antonyms: -.

Similar Words: contribution, donation, subsidy, bequest, allowance.

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

Synonyms: étrenne, cadeau, présent, offrande, bonus.

Antonyms: -.

Similar Words: don, contribution, subvention, aumône, gratification.

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