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手掛かり (てがかり, tegakari) Japanese meaning: clue | Kotomora
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手て
がかり
を
探さが
し
て
いる
。
The police are looking for clues to the case.
His words became a clue to solving the problem.
Usage patterns 〈 事こと 〉 の 手て がかりをつかむ to grasp/get hold of a clue to something
The police got hold of a clue to the case.
〈 事こと 〉 の 手て がかりを 得え る to obtain a clue to something
Through the investigation, we obtained an important clue.
〈 事こと 〉 の 手て がかりを 探さが す to search for a clue to something
They are searching for clues about the missing person.
〈 事こと 〉 の 手て がかりになる to serve as a clue to something
This photo might serve as a clue to the case.
Kanji 懸 state of suspension, hang, depend Related words· 6 糸口 stresses the very starting thread of a solution, while 手がかり refers to any piece of evidence or clue found along the way.
ヒント is a casual, everyday hint or tip, whereas 手がかり is used for more serious clues in investigations or research.
端緒 is a formal, literary word for the first clue or beginning of an inquiry, while 手がかり is the more common everyday term for a clue.
鍵 figuratively means the crucial key to solving something, while 手がかり is a more general clue or lead that may only partially help.
Show 2 more 手がかり is a broader word for any clue or lead (not necessarily verbal), whereas キーワード specifically refers to a word or phrase that unlocks understanding.
手がかり is a concrete clue or lead toward solving something, whereas 心当たり is a subjective sense of possibly knowing something.
Don't confuse with 足がかり literally means a foothold (a place to step) and figuratively a foothold for progress, while 手がかり means a handhold or, more often, an informational clue.
Written forms 手て 掛が かり Usage 25%
Standard kanji spelling; frequent in news and formal writing.
手て がかり Usage 71%
Common mixed kana-kanji spelling; widely used and easy to read.
手て 掛がか り Usage 3%
search-only kanji form
Search-only variant; not recommended for active use.
手て 懸がか り
Etymology Compound of 手 (hand) and 掛かり (a hold or catch), literally 'something for the hand to catch onto'. The figurative 'clue' sense developed from the idea of a physical grip that helps one proceed.
Usage 1%
search-only kanji form
Search-only variant; not recommended for active use.
手て 懸が かり Usage 1%
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; 懸 is uncommon in this word.
