noun
someone else's hands; someone else's possession
Used when something is in another person's hands or possession, often implying it is out of one's own control. Common in phrases like 人手に渡る (pass into someone else's hands).
大事な書類が人手に渡ってしまった。
The important documents ended up in someone else's hands.
We don't have enough hands for the move.
noun
labor; manpower; help; assistance
Abstract sense of human labor, effort, or assistance needed for a task. Often used in contexts like 人手不足 (labor shortage) or 人手を借りる (get help).
この仕事は人手がかかる。
This job requires a lot of labor.
人手不足で困っている。
We're struggling with a labor shortage.
noun
human hand; human act
Rare, literary sense emphasizing that something is done by human hands or is a human act, as opposed to natural or mechanical processes. Often found in fixed expressions like 人手を加える (add human touch).
この庭園は人手が加えられていない。
This garden has not been touched by human hands.