Translation and Meaning of: 手 - te

The Japanese word 手[て] is one of the most fundamental and versatile in the language. Its main meaning is "hand," but its usage goes far beyond that, appearing in everyday expressions, proverbs, and even technical terms. In this article, we will explore everything from the basics, such as writing and pronunciation, to cultural curiosities and tips for memorizing this essential kanji.

If you are learning Japanese, understanding 手[て] is crucial. It not only describes a part of the body but is also present in compound words and idiomatic phrases. In the Suki Nihongo dictionary, you will find practical examples, but here we will focus on the cultural context and the details that make this word so interesting.

Meaning and use of 手[て]

The primary meaning of 手[て] is "hand," but its use extends to concepts such as skill, help, and even side in a game or dispute. For example, 手伝う[てつだう] means "to help," showing how the idea of a hand connects with support. In more technical contexts, such as martial arts, 手 can refer to specific techniques or movements.

Another interesting aspect is the frequency with which this word appears in daily life. It is used in expressions like 手が空く[てがあく] (to be free, literally "the hands are empty") and 手を貸す[てをかす] (to lend a hand, meaning to help). This versatility makes 手[て] one of the first words that Japanese language learners need to master.

Origin and writing of the kanji 手

The kanji 手 has a clear pictographic origin: it represents a hand with extended fingers. Its simplified form retains this essence, making it relatively easy to recognize and write. According to the Kangorin dictionary, this character was already used in ancient Chinese before being incorporated into Japanese, maintaining its central meaning throughout the centuries.

A useful tip for memorizing the kanji 手 is to associate it with the image of a hand in action. Some students find a resemblance between the top stroke and a wrist, while the lower strokes resemble fingers. This visual approach can make learning easier, especially for those who are just starting to study kanji.

Cultural curiosities about 手[て]

In Japan, the hand (手) has a deep cultural significance. In traditional ceremonies like tea, hand movements follow specific protocols. Furthermore, expressions such as 手を合わせる[てをあわせる] (to bring the hands together in prayer) demonstrate how the physical and the spiritual connect through this word.

Another interesting fact is the use of 手 in the names of artistic techniques. In Noh theater, for example, there are 型[かた] (forms) that include specific hand positions. Even in mangas and animes, gestures with hands often carry symbolic meanings, reinforcing the cultural importance of this simple yet nuanced term.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 掌 (shō) - Palm of the hand
• 手のひら (te no hira) - Palm of the hand
• 手掌 (shushō) - Palm of the hand (more formal)
• 手の甲 (te no kō) - Back of the hand
• 手首から先 (tekubi kara saki) - From the wrist to the fingertips
• 手指 (teshi) - Dedos das mãos
• 手袋 (tebukuro) - gloves
• 手形 (tegata) - Handprint (or receipt/note)
• 手回し (temawashi) - Manual (or with hands)
• 手品 (tebina) - Magic or magic tricks
• 手際 (tegiwa) - Habilidade manual
• 手綱 (tazuna) - Reins (for guiding an animal)
• 手引き (tebiki) - Orientation or guide
• 手配 (tehai) - Organization or arrangement
• 手腕 (shuwan) - Manual capacity or skill
• 手順 (tejun) - Etapas ou procedimentos
• 手続き (tetsuzuki) - Formal processes or procedures
• 手筈 (tehazu) - Preparation or plan
• 手助け (tedasuke) - Support or help
• 手拭い (tenugui) - Hand towel
• 手招き (temaneki) - Hand invitation
• 手押し (teoshi) - Push with the hand
• 手抜き (tenuki) - Work done quickly or carelessly
• 手折り (teori) - Break with the hand
• 手押し車 (teoshi-sha) - Wheelbarrow
• 手押し式 (teoshi-shiki) - Hand-pushed type
• 手抜き仕事 (tenuki shigoto) - Careless work (in hand)
• 手抜き料理 (tenuki ryōri) - Quick or simplified cooking
• 手抜き洗濯 (tenuki sentaku) - Washing clothes in a hurry
• 手抜き掃除 (tenuki sōji) - Cleaning done quickly
• 手抜き作業 (tenuki sagyō) - Work done in a rushed manner
• 手抜き手帳 (tenuki techō) - Agenda with simplified information

手

Romaji: te
Kana: て
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: hand

Meaning in English: hand

Definition: Hand: The hand refers to the organ that consists of the palm and fingers at the end of the arm.

Example Sentences - (手) te

See below some example sentences:

私は手紙をあなたに届ける。

Watashi wa tegami o anata ni todokeru

I will give you the letter.

I will deliver the letter to you.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 手紙 - noun meaning "letter"
• を - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
• あなた - personal pronoun meaning "you"
• に - target particle indicating the recipient of the action
• 届ける - verb meaning "to deliver"

私は彼女の手を掴んだ。

Watashi wa kanojo no te o tsukanda

I held her hand.

I grabbed her hand.

• 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 彼女 - noun meaning "her" or "girlfriend"
• の - possessive particle that indicates that the hand belongs to her
• 手 - noun that means "hand"
• を - object particle that indicates that the hand is the object of the action
• 掴んだ - verb that means "to grab" or "to hold" in the past

私鉄は都市部でよく使われる交通手段です。

Shitetsu wa toshibu de yoku tsukawareru kotsu shudan desu

Private railways are the commonly used transport in urban areas.

• 私鉄 - private railways
• は - Topic particle
• 都市部 - urban areas
• で - Location particle
• よく - often
• 使われる - to be used
• 交通手段 - means of transport
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

窓枠に手を突っ張る。

madowaku ni te wo tsuppuru

I rest my hand on the window frame.

Push your hand into the window frame.

• 窓枠 (madowaku) - window frame
• に (ni) - particle indicating location
• 手 (te) - hand
• を (wo) - Particle that indicates the object of the action
• 突っ張る (tsuppashiru) - lean on tightly

編物は手作りのアイテムです。

Hemmotsu wa tezukuri no aitemu desu

Knitting is an artisanal item.

• 編物 - Japanese word meaning "knitting".
• は - topic particle in Japanese, which indicates that the subject of the sentence is "編物" (knitting).
• 手作り - a Japanese word meaning "handmade".
• の - possession particle in Japanese, which indicates that "アイテム" (item) is possessed by "手作り" (handmade).
• アイテム - Japanese word meaning "item".
• です - verb "to be" in Japanese, which indicates that the sentence is an affirmation.

聞き取りが上手ですね。

Kikitori ga jouzu desu ne

I'm good at listening.

• 聞き取り - "Compreensão auditiva" means "listening comprehension" in Japanese.
• が - Grammatical particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 上手 - Adjective that means "good" or "skillful" in Japanese.
• です - The verb "ser" in Japanese, used to indicate a polite assertion.
• ね - grammatical particle that indicates a rhetorical question or a confirmation.
• . - period indicating the end of the sentence.

観客は熱狂的に拍手を送った。

Kankyaku wa nekkyouteki ni hakushu o okuttta

The audience applauded enthusiastically.

• 観客 (kankyaku) - Audience, crowd
• は (wa) - topic particle, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "public"
• 熱狂的に (nekkyouteki ni) - enthusiastically, fervently
• 拍手 (hakushu) - applause
• を (wo) - direct object particle, indicates that "applause" is the direct object of the action "send"
• 送った (okutta) - sent, sent

読みが上手ですね。

Yomi ga jouzu desu ne

You read very well.

I am good at reading.

• 読み - reading
• が - subject particle
• 上手 - skillful, good
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present
• ね - confirmation/affirmation particle

輸送手段を確保する必要がある。

Yusō shudan o kakuho suru hitsuyō ga aru

It is necessary to guarantee means of transport.

• 輸送 (yusō) - Transport
• 手段 (shudan) - Quite
• を (o) - direct object particle
• 確保する (kakuho suru) - guarantee
• 必要がある (hitsuyō ga aru) - Is required