手引き

• Reading: てびき
• Romaji: tebiki
• Kanji breakdown: 手 (te) — hand; 引 (biki) — pull, draw, guide
• Pronunciation: /te.bi.ki/

Meaning

Guidance; a guide or manual. Also means assisting someone or acting as a go-between.

A noun and suru-verb with two main meanings: (1) a guidebook, manual, or set of instructions (手引き書, a handbook); (2) the act of guiding, leading by the hand, or even secretly assisting (sometimes with a negative nuance of being an insider accomplice). Context determines which meaning applies. In the positive sense, 手引きする means to guide or mentor. In the negative sense, it can mean to act as an inside helper for a crime.

Examples

1. 初心者向けの手引きを読んでから作業を始めた。 I read the beginner's guide before starting the task.
2. 先輩が新しい仕事の手引きをしてくれた。 My senior colleague guided me through my new job.
3. 内部の人間が犯行の手引きをした疑いがある。 There are suspicions that someone on the inside helped carry out the crime.

Usage Guide

Context: education, business, manuals, mentoring

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From 手 (te, hand) + 引き (biki, pulling/drawing), from the verb 引く (to pull). Literally 'pulling by the hand,' evoking the image of leading someone by the hand to show them the way.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal