noun
plaything; playing with a toy
Refers to a toy or the act of playing with something in one's hands; often used for simple, handheld amusements.
子供が手遊びに夢中になっている。
The child is absorbed in playing with a toy.
noun
A somewhat old-fashioned or euphemistic term for gambling, implying it is a mere pastime.
昔は手遊びが高じて身を持ち崩す者も多かった。
In the past, many people ruined themselves through gambling.
noun
hand-game; activity using hand gestures
Specifically refers to games or songs involving hand movements, such as clapping games or finger plays, often for children.
保育園で手遊び歌を教えてもらった。
I learned a hand-play song at nursery school.
おもちゃ is the general word for toy, while 手遊び emphasizes the act of playing with something in one's hands or a simple handheld amusement.
ギャンブル is the modern, direct loanword for gambling; 手遊び is a softer, older term.
手遊び歌 is a common compound specifically for songs with hand gestures, while 手遊び alone can refer to the activity itself.
Compound of 手 (hand) and 遊び (play). The gambling sense likely developed from the idea of a pastime done with the hands.