Translation guide
The English word "hand" covers body part, help, control, skill, and many idiomatic uses. Japanese uses different words and phrases for each meaning. Direct translation often fails.
The physical hand (from wrist to fingertips).
The standard word for hand. Used in most contexts.
手を洗ってください。
Please wash your hands.
彼は手が大きい。
He has big hands.
Giving help or a helping hand.
Verb meaning "to help" or "to lend a hand."
ちょっと手伝ってくれませんか。
Could you give me a hand?
Literally "lend a hand," used for physical or practical help.
誰か手を貸して！
Somebody give me a hand!
General verb for "help" or "rescue," not limited to hands.
Skill or talent in doing something, often manual.
Refers to skill or ability, especially in crafts or performance.
彼の料理の腕前はすごい。
He's really good at cooking. (lit. His cooking skill is amazing.)
Adjectival noun meaning "good at" something.
Literally "dexterous with one's hands," used for manual dexterity.
彼は手先が器用だ。
He's good with his hands.
A person's style of writing by hand.
Being in someone's hands, under control, or in possession.
Literally "in one's hand," meaning under control or possession.
すべては彼の手の中にある。
Everything is in his hands.
More formal/literary version of "in one's hands."
勝利は我々の手中にある。
Victory is in our hands.
To obtain, get hold of something.
Having a hand in something, being involved.
General phrase for being involved or having a hand in something.
彼はその計画に関わっている。
He has a hand in the project.
Literally "to dye one's hands," meaning to become involved in something, often negative.
彼は悪事に手を染めた。
He got involved in wrongdoing.
Clapping hands to show appreciation.
Noun meaning applause or clapping. Often used with する.
大きな拍手が起こった。
There was a big hand (round of applause).
Verb phrase meaning "to clap one's hands."
みんなが手を叩いて喜んだ。
Everyone clapped their hands in delight.
A person who does manual work, especially on a ship or farm.
Many English idioms with "hand" do not use 手 in Japanese. For example, "on the other hand" is 一方 (いっぽう), not 他の手で. Always check the intended meaning first.
手 refers to the hand, while 腕 refers to the arm. However, 腕 also means skill or ability (as in 腕前). Be careful not to confuse them.
彼を助けてあげて。
Give him a hand.
彼女は絵が上手だ。
She's good at drawing. (She has a good hand for drawing.)
筆跡鑑定
handwriting analysis
I got my hands on a ticket.
農場で作業員として働いている。
He works as a farm hand.