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.
He has big hands.
Giving help or a helping hand.
Skill or talent in doing something, often manual.
Refers to skill or ability, especially in crafts or performance.
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.
He's good with his hands.
A person's style of writing by hand.
Being in someone's hands, under control, or in possession.
Having a hand in something, being involved.
Clapping hands to show appreciation.
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.
Somebody give me a hand!
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
チケットを手に入れた。
I got my hands on a ticket.
彼は悪事に手を染めた。
He got involved in wrongdoing.
農場で作業員として働いている。
He works as a farm hand.