smattering

她对法语只有一些粗浅的了解，不足以进行日常对话。

She has only a ___smattering of French, not enough for daily conversations.

他对西班牙语只有粗浅的了解，能说几个单词但读不懂报纸。

He has only a ___smattering of Spanish, knowing a few words but unable to read newspapers.