1.
a handful; a fistful
The amount that can be held in one hand when gripped. A physical quantity measurement.
砂を一握りつかんだ。
I grabbed a handful of sand.
塩を一握り入れる。
Add a handful of salt.
米を一握り鍋に加えた。
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.
成功するのは一握りの人だけだ。
Only a handful of people succeed.
一握りの富裕層が富を独占している。
A tiny minority of wealthy people monopolize the wealth.
その試験に合格できるのは、受験者の中でもほんの一握りだ。
Among the test takers, only a mere handful can pass that exam.
一握り 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:
- 一握りの人: a handful of people
- 一握りの企業: a handful of companies
- ほんの一握り: a mere handful
RELATED QUANTITY WORDS:
- ひとつかみ: a grab, a handful (similar to 一握り)
- ひとつまみ: a pinch (smaller amount)
CAUTION:
Do not confuse with おにぎり (御握り), which means rice ball.