puñado

/poo-NYAH-do/

handful

A close-up view of a person's slightly cupped hand holding a small pile of dry, colorful beans, illustrating a literal measure.

When used as a literal measure, puñado translates to "handful."

puñado(noun)

mA2

handful

as a literal measure

Also:

fistful

the amount held in a closed hand

📝 In Action

Echa solo un puñado de sal a la sopa para que no esté salada.

Only add a handful of salt to the soup so it isn't too salty.

Necesitas un puñado de semillas para plantar en el jardín.

You need a handful of seeds to plant in the garden.

Word Connections

Synonyms

manojo (bunch, bundle)
porción (portion)

Common Collocations

un puñado de tierra – a handful of dirt
un puñado de monedas – a handful of coins

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun

Since 'puñado' ends in '-o', it is a masculine noun. Use 'el puñado' or 'un puñado'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing 'puñado' and 'mano'

Mistake: "Using 'una mano de arroz' (a hand of rice)."

Correction: Use 'un puñado de arroz'. 'Mano' is the body part; 'puñado' is the quantity that fits in that hand.

⭐ Usage Tips

Use with loose items

This word is best used for things you can scoop up easily, like grains, soil, sand, or small candies.

A large empty surface featuring only four brightly colored red apples clustered closely together, symbolizing a small quantity.

Puñado can also mean a "small number" of things.

puñado(noun)

mB1

small number

of people or things

few

when describing a quantity

Also:

small group

referring to people

📝 In Action

Solo un puñado de estudiantes entendió el concepto avanzado.

Only a small number of students understood the advanced concept.

Con un puñado de dólares, logró iniciar su negocio.

With a handful (a small amount) of dollars, he managed to start his business.

Word Connections

Synonyms

pocos (few)
minoría (minority)

Antonyms

muchos (many)
multitud (crowd)

Common Collocations

un puñado de valientes – a small number of brave people
un puñado de días – a few days

💡 Grammar Points

Figurative Use

When used figuratively, it emphasizes how small the group or amount is, often implying scarcity or difficulty.

⭐ Usage Tips

Expressing Scarcity

Use 'puñado' instead of just 'pocos' when you want to highlight that the group or amount is surprisingly small.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: puñado

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'puñado' in its figurative sense?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

puño(fist) - noun

empuñar(to grasp, to clench) - verb

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'puñado' a precise measurement?

No, 'puñado' is an informal, approximate measurement. It means 'a handful,' which varies depending on the size of the person's hand. In recipes, it suggests a small, quick amount.

What is the difference between 'puñado' and 'puño'?

'Puño' (fist) is the body part—the closed hand itself. 'Puñado' is the quantity or amount of something that fits inside that closed hand.