手札
Meanings
hand of cards; one's hand
In card games, the set of cards a player holds. Also used figuratively for the resources or options one has available.
He stared at his hand and thought about his next move.
In negotiations, I still have some cards up my sleeve.
name tag; nameplate; business card
Dated term for a small card bearing one's name, such as a name tag, nameplate, or business card. Modern Japanese usually uses 名札 for name tags and 名刺 for business cards.
At old-fashioned gatherings, attendees wore name tags on their chests.
wallet-sized photo
Abbreviation of 手札型 or 手札判, referring to a small, wallet-sized photograph. Used mainly in the context of photo printing sizes.
Please provide a wallet-sized photo for the ID.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉が手札を配るfor someone to deal a hand of cards
The dealer dealt each player their hand of cards.
- 手札を切るto play a card from one's hand; figuratively, to use one's resources or options
He played his trump card at the end of the negotiation.
- 手札を増やすto increase one's options or resources (figurative use of 'hand of cards')
I want to gain experience and build up more options for myself.