手数
also: てかず
Meanings
Refers to the effort or trouble taken by someone, often used in expressions of gratitude or apology like お手数をおかけしてすみません.
I'm sorry to trouble you, but please sign this document.
Thank you for coming all this way; I'm sorry for the trouble.
number of moves
Only with reading てかず
Used in go, shogi, and similar board games to count the number of moves played. Restricted to the reading てかず.
This game had a long number of moves and was fiercely contested until the end.
number of punches
Only with reading てかず
Boxing term for the count of punches thrown. Restricted to the reading てかず.
He outpunched his opponent and won by decision.
Usage patterns
- 手数がかかるto take extra effort/trouble
This procedure takes a lot of extra effort.
- お手数ですが〈動詞〉sorry for the trouble, but could you...
Sorry for the trouble, but could you please fill this out?
- 手数を省くto save effort/steps
This method lets you save some steps.
- 手数が多いto have made many moves (in a game)
This shogi match involved a large number of moves.
Expressions
- 手数をかけるcause trouble; be a burden; put someone out
- お手数をおかけいたしますto cause trouble; to be a burden