noun, na-adjective
eloquence; cleverness in speaking
Often used in the phrase 口八丁手八丁 (くちはっちょうてはっちょう), meaning someone who is both a smooth talker and skillful with their hands. The standalone 手八丁 emphasizes manual dexterity or cleverness in action, but is less common alone.
彼は口八丁手八丁で、どんな仕事もそつなくこなす。
He is both eloquent and dexterous, handling any job with ease.
あの営業マンは手八丁で、難しい交渉
That salesman is clever in action, managing even difficult negotiations.
The term 八丁 (はっちょう) originally referred to eight traditional Japanese tools or skills, implying versatility. 手八丁 literally means 'eight skills of the hand,' suggesting dexterity and cleverness in practical matters. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.