noun
Money or resources used to start a business, investment, or venture. Often implies the initial stake needed to generate returns.
起業するには元手が必要だ。
You need capital to start a business.
彼は少ない元手で大きな利益を上げた。
He made a large profit with a small amount of seed money.
noun
Figurative use: something that serves as a foundation or advantage for future success, such as skills, knowledge, or connections.
語学力は海外で働くための元手になる。
Language skills can be an asset for working abroad.
Compound of 元 (もと, 'origin, source') and 手 (て, 'hand'), with rendaku voicing. Literally 'source hand', referring to the initial resources one has at hand to begin an endeavor.