一握(ひとにぎ)り

ひとにぎり
noun
a handful; a small number
quantity
1. a handful; a fistful
The amount that can be held in one hand when gripped. A physical quantity measurement.
砂(すな)を一握(ひとにぎ)りつかんだ。
I grabbed a handful of sand.
塩(しお)を一握(ひとにぎ)り入(い)れる。
Add a handful of salt.
米(こめ)を一握(ひとにぎ)り鍋(なべ)に加(くわ)えた。
I added a handful of rice to the pot.
2. a small number; a select few; a tiny minority
Figuratively, a very small number of people or things out of a larger group. Emphasizes how few they are.
成功(せいこう)するのは一握(ひとにぎ)りの人(ひと)だけだ。
Only a handful of people succeed.
一握(ひとにぎ)りの富裕層(ふゆうそう)が富(とみ)を独占(どくせん)している。
A tiny minority of wealthy people monopolize the wealth.
その試験(しけん)に合格(ごうかく)できるのは、受験者(じゅけんしゃ)の中(なか)でもほんの一握(ひとにぎ)りだ。
Among the test takers, only a mere handful can pass that exam.

一握(ひとにぎ)り literally means "one grip" — the amount you can hold in a fist. The figurative sense (a tiny minority) is more common in everyday usage.

Common patterns

Related quantity words

  • ひとつかみ: a grab, a handful (similar to 一握(ひとにぎ)り)
  • ひとつまみ: a pinch (smaller amount)

Watch out

Do not confuse with おにぎり (御握(おにぎ)り), which means rice ball.

general
Added 2026.3.22 13:47 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
18500/18544_hitonigiri