手を拱く

• Reading: てをこまねく
• Romaji: tewokomaneku
• Kanji breakdown: 手 (te) — hand; 拱 (koma/kyō) — clasped hands, fold arms
• Pronunciation: /te.o.ko.ma.ne.kɯ/

Meaning

To fold one's arms; to stand by idle; to do nothing in a situation that demands action.

A verbal phrase combining 手 (hand) + 拱く (komaneku — to fold the arms, from 拱 meaning 'clasped hands'). The image comes from an ancient posture of deference in which one folds the hands before the chest, doing nothing. In modern usage it is almost always negative — one should not 手を拱いている when action is required. Frequently appears in editorials and political commentary criticising inaction.

Examples

1. 政府は事態が深刻化するなか、手を拱いて見ているだけだと批判された。 The government was criticised for merely standing by with folded arms as the situation grew serious.
2. 競合他社が新製品を次々と出すなか、手を拱いているわけにはいかない。 With rival companies launching new products one after another, we cannot afford to sit on our hands.
3. 災害支援に向けて動き出した仲間を前に、彼だけ手を拱いていた。 While his colleagues had already sprung into action for disaster relief, he alone stood by doing nothing.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, business, journalism, criticism

Tone: critical

Origin & History

拱く (komaneku) derives from 拱 (kyō), a character depicting crossed or clasped hands. The posture of folded arms symbolised inaction or passive waiting in classical East Asian court culture.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal