Dictionary
English - Dutch
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.
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.
weinig, een paar, enkele
Few meanings in Dutch
weinig
Example:
I have few friends in this city.
Ik heb weinig vrienden in deze stad.
There are few options available.
Er zijn weinig opties beschikbaar.
Usage: informalContext: Used to indicate a small number of countable nouns.
Note: The word 'weinig' is commonly used when referring to countable items, and it emphasizes that the number is smaller than expected.
een paar
Example:
I saw a few birds in the park.
Ik zag een paar vogels in het park.
Can you give me a few minutes?
Kun je me een paar minuten geven?
Usage: informalContext: Used to indicate a small, but more positive count, often implying some quantity is sufficient.
Note: 'Een paar' literally translates to 'a couple' and can be used in both formal and informal settings. It suggests more than two but not many.
enkele
Example:
There are few people who can do this job.
Er zijn enkele mensen die dit werk kunnen doen.
I have a few ideas for the project.
Ik heb enkele ideeën voor het project.
Usage: formalContext: Used in more formal contexts to refer to a small number of things.
Note: 'Enkele' is often used in written language or formal speech. It can imply a slightly larger number than 'weinig' and is often used to express a limited quantity.
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.
Weinig mensen woonden de vergadering bij.
I have a few friends in this city.
Ik heb een paar vrienden in deze stad.
There is only a small amount of sugar left.
Er is nog maar een kleine hoeveelheid suiker over.
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.
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