Translation guide
How to express the quantity of something currently available, in stock, or possessed.
Please check the current amount on hand.
Literally 'inventory on hand', emphasizes physical possession. Common in business settings.
We have only a small amount on hand.
Accounting term for 'amount on hand' or 'balance'. Used in financial contexts.
Report the cash amount on hand at the end of the month.
The amount of physical cash someone has available.
Common, natural way to say 'cash on hand' or 'money you have with you'.
I don't have enough cash on hand.
Literally 'cash at hand', slightly more formal. Used in both spoken and written Japanese.
Formal term for 'money in one's possession'. Often used in legal or official contexts.
The amount of something (not necessarily money or inventory) that someone currently has.
Pattern: '手持ちの + [item]' means 'the [item] one has on hand'. Very versatile.
I'll send the documents I have on hand.
Do you have any stamps on hand?
Pattern: '手元にある + [item]' means 'the [item] at hand'. Slightly more literal.
I'll check the data I have on hand.
Both mean 'on hand', but 手持ち emphasizes possession/carrying, while 手元 emphasizes proximity (at hand). 手持ち is more common for inventory; 手元 is often used for cash or documents within reach.
inventory on hand (possessed)
cash at hand (nearby)
How much cash do you have on hand?
所持金が少ないので、ATMに行きます。
I have little cash on hand, so I'll go to an ATM.