few

• Adjektiv, das eine kleine Anzahl von Personen oder Dingen bezeichnet; auch gebraucht im Sinne von 'nicht viele' oder 'selten vorhanden'.

An adjective meaning a small number of things or people.

1. A1formal

   Used to describe a small number of things or people.

   Wenige

   • Only a few people attended the meeting.
   • She has a few books on her shelf.
   • There are a few apples left in the basket.

   Synonymehandfulminoritysprinklingtrickle

   Antonymemanymultitudinousnumerous

2. Not manyA2formal

   Used to emphasize that the number is small or insufficient.

   Wenige

   • Few students passed the difficult exam.
   • He has few friends in the new city.
   • There are few opportunities for advancement in this company.

   Synonymeinsufficientlimitedmeagerscarcesparse

   Antonymecountlessmanymultiplenumerous

• Bezeichnet eine geringe Anzahl zählbarer Dinge; oft mit dem Beiklang, dass es zu wenig oder kaum genug ist.

A determiner used with plural countable nouns to indicate a small number. Without the article 'a', it has a negative connotation, meaning 'not many' or 'hardly any'.

1. Small number (negative connotation)B1formal

   Used with plural countable nouns to emphasize that the number is small, often implying 'not enough' or 'less than expected'. It contrasts with 'a few', which is more positive.

   Geringe Anzahl (negativ)

   • Few people understand this theory.
   • There are few reasons to stay.
   • Few of them passed the exam.

2. Only a small number (restrictive)B2formal

   Used in the phrase 'only a few' or simply 'few' to restrict the quantity to a very limited number, emphasizing scarcity.

   Nur eine kleine Zahl (restriktiv)

   • Very few students completed the assignment on time.
   • Few cities have such a rich history.
   • He has few friends in this town.

• Substantiv, das eine kleine Anzahl oder Menge von etwas bezeichnet und oft auf Wenigkeit oder Mangel hinweist.

A noun referring to a small number of something, often indicating not many or a scarcity of items.

unzählbar

1. A1formal

   A small number of people or things, often implying not many.

   Eine kleine Anzahl von Personen oder Dingen

   • Only a few of the students passed the exam.
   • A few of the books were damaged in the flood.
   • She invited a few of her closest friends to the party.

   Synonymehandfulminorityscatteringsmatteringsprinklingtrickle

   Antonymecrowdhostmanymultitudethrong

2. A select or elite groupB2formal

   A small, select group of people, often implying exclusivity.

   die wenigen Auserwählten

   • The few who understand the theory are highly respected.
   • Only the few were allowed into the private club.
   • The secrets are known by the few.

   Synonymechosenelecteliteprivilegedselect

   Antonymecrowdmanymass