smattering
noun /ˈsmætərɪŋ/
  /ˈsmætərɪŋ/
[singular]- smattering (of something) a small amount of something, especially knowledge of a language(尤指对语言)略知,浅知 - He only has a smattering of French.他只懂一点法语。 
 词源mid 16th cent.: from smatter ‘talk ignorantly, prate’ (surviving in Scots), of unknown origin.
- He only has a smattering of French.