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).
The important documents ended up in someone else's hands.
Refers to a person who helps with work, often in a manual or support role. Can be used when requesting or offering an extra pair of hands.
We don't have enough hands for the move.
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).
This job requires a lot of labor.
We're struggling with a labor shortage.
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).
This garden has not been touched by human hands.
This shop is struggling because it's short-staffed.
I got help from a friend for the move.
A neighbor lent me a hand.
During the harvest season, extra hands are needed.
It's a shame to let the ancestral house pass into someone else's hands.