Dictionary
English - Bulgarian

Few

fju
Extremely common
500 - 600
500 - 600
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

малко, няколко, някои, малко на брой

Few meanings in Bulgarian

малко

Example:
I have a few friends.
Имам малко приятели.
There are few options available.
Има малко налични опции.
Usage: informalContext: Used when referring to a small number of countable nouns.
Note: This meaning emphasizes a small quantity but still implies more than one.

няколко

Example:
She visited a few countries last year.
Тя посети няколко държави миналата година.
Can you give me a few minutes?
Можеш ли да ми дадеш няколко минути?
Usage: informalContext: Commonly used in everyday conversation to indicate several items or instances.
Note: This sense is slightly more positive, suggesting a handful of something.

някои

Example:
Few people understand this concept.
Някои хора разбират този концепт.
There are few who can do this.
Има някои, които могат да го направят.
Usage: formal/informalContext: Used to express a limited number of people or things in a broader sense.
Note: This usage can carry a slightly negative connotation, implying that the number is unexpected or less than anticipated.

малко на брой

Example:
There are few fruits in the basket.
В кошницата има малко на брой плодове.
We have few choices left.
Имаме малко на брой избори.
Usage: formalContext: Used in a more academic or formal context to refer to a limited quantity.
Note: This can be used in discussions about availability or selection in a formal setting.

Few's synonyms

several

Several means more than a few but not many. It implies a moderate amount.
Example: I invited several friends to the party.
Note: Several implies a slightly larger quantity compared to few.

a handful of

A handful of means a small number or a few people or things that can be counted on one hand.
Example: There were only a handful of people at the event.
Note: A handful of is a more informal way to indicate a small quantity.

scant

Scant means barely sufficient or not enough. It indicates a small or limited amount.
Example: She provided scant evidence to support her claim.
Note: Scant emphasizes insufficiency or inadequacy more than few.

Few expressions, common phrases

A few

This phrase indicates a small number of something, implying more than one or two but less than many.
Example: I have a few friends coming over for dinner tonight.
Note: While 'few' alone signifies a small number with a negative connotation, 'a few' suggests a positive or sufficient quantity.

In a few

This phrase means within a short period of time, shortly.
Example: The meeting will start in a few minutes.
Note: It emphasizes the immediacy or nearness of the event or action compared to 'few' which only denotes a small number.

Few and far between

This idiom describes something that is rare, uncommon, or infrequent.
Example: Opportunities like this are few and far between.
Note: It emphasizes not only the scarcity but the considerable distance or time gap between occurrences.

Quite a few

This phrase means a relatively large number, more than expected.
Example: Quite a few people showed up at the party.
Note: It suggests a surprising or notable quantity, unlike 'few' which generally implies a small amount.

Make a few waves

To cause a small disturbance or trouble in order to achieve a goal.
Example: She's not afraid to make a few waves to get things done.
Note: It uses 'waves' metaphorically to denote minor disruptions or challenges, diverging from the literal meaning of 'few'.

There are few who

This phrase emphasizes the rarity or scarcity of individuals possessing a certain quality or ability.
Example: There are few who can match his skill in that field.
Note: It highlights the exceptional nature of the individuals being referred to, contrasting with the general sense of 'few'.

Every few

This phrase means at intervals of a small number of times or occasions.
Example: He checks his emails every few hours.
Note: It implies a regular or periodic occurrence separated by short intervals, enhancing the temporal aspect compared to 'few'.

Few everyday (slang) expressions

A few sandwiches short of a picnic

This phrase is used to humorously suggest that someone is not very intelligent or is mentally lacking.
Example: I think he's a few sandwiches short of a picnic if he believes that story.
Note: The slang phrase emphasizes someone's perceived lack of intelligence or common sense compared to the word 'few' which just means a small number of something.

A few bricks shy of a load

Similar to the previous phrase, it implies that someone is not very bright or is lacking mental capacity.
Example: After that comment, I think he's a few bricks shy of a load.
Note: This slang term highlights the idea of someone missing essential components, contrasting with the neutral meaning of 'few' indicating a small quantity.

A few cards short of a full deck

Used to imply that someone is mentally unstable, irrational, or lacking critical thinking skills.
Example: She tried to convince me to invest in that scheme, but I think she's a few cards short of a full deck.
Note: The slang term focuses on questioning someone's mental stability or ability, diverging from the neutral concept of 'few' denoting a small number.

Few - Examples

Few people attended the meeting.
Няколко души присъстваха на срещата.
I have a few friends in this city.
Имам няколко приятели в този град.
There is only a small amount of sugar left.
Остава само малко количество захар.

Few grammar

Few - Adjective (Adjective) / Adjective (Adjective)
Lemma: few
Conjugations
Adjective, comparative (Adjective, comparative): fewer
Adjective, superlative (Adjective, superlative): fewest
Adjective (Adjective): few
Syllables, Separation and Stress
few Contains 1 syllables: few
Phonetic transcription: ˈfyü
few , ˈfyü (The red syllable is stressed)

Few - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
few: 500 - 600 (Extremely common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
Vocafy, efficient language learning
Vocafy, efficient language learning
Vocafy helps you discover, organize, and learn new words and phrases with ease. Build personalized vocabulary collections, and practice anytime, anywhere.