手控え
Meanings
1
note; memorandum; personal record
A note or memo kept at hand for later reference. It is a little more written or formal-sounding than the everyday loanword メモ.
I wrote down the person in charge's name in my notes.
2
holding back; refraining; restraint
Used for deliberately holding off from doing something, often in formal or news-style compounds such as 買い手控え, where people refrain from buying.
Prices remain high, and consumers are continuing to hold back on purchases.
Usage patterns
- 手控えを取るto jot down a memo for later reference
I jotted down the meeting content as a memo.
- 〈事〉に手控えが見られるsigns of restraint are seen in ~
Consumers are showing restraint in their shopping.
- 手控えを見るto check one's personal notes
He explained while checking his notes.
- 〈事〉を手控えするto hold off on / refrain from doing something
Due to the drop in stock prices, investors held off on buying.