手すり

• Reading: てすり
• Romaji: tesuri
• Kanji breakdown: 手 (te) — hand (すり from 擦る, to rub/slide)
• Pronunciation: /te.sɯ.ɾi/

Meaning

Handrail; railing; banister. A bar or rail for gripping to maintain balance on stairs or balconies.

A noun referring to a rail attached to stairs, balconies, bridges, or other structures for safety and support. Written in hiragana (手すり) more often than in kanji (手摺). Essential vocabulary for daily life, home design, and accessibility contexts. In Japan, handrails are required by building codes in public facilities and are a key feature of barrier-free design.

Examples

1. 階段を降りるときは手すりにつかまってください。 Please hold the handrail when going down the stairs.
2. おばあちゃんのために廊下に手すりを取り付けた。 We had a handrail installed in the hallway for our grandmother.
3. 展望台の手すりから美しい景色が見えた。 We had a beautiful view from the observation deck railing.

Usage Guide

Context: architecture, daily life, accessibility, safety

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From 手 (te, hand) + すり (suri, rubbing/sliding), from the verb 擦る (suru, to rub). Literally 'something the hand rubs against,' describing the action of sliding one's hand along a rail for support.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal