手

• Reading: て
• Romaji: te
• Kanji breakdown: 手 (shu/te) — hand
• Pronunciation: /te/

Meaning

Hand; arm. One of the most versatile body-part words in Japanese.

Refers to the hand and by extension the arm. Extremely common in idioms and compounds: 手伝う (to help), 上手 (skilful), 下手 (unskilful), 手紙 (letter), and 手を洗う (to wash one's hands). Also used figuratively to mean 'move' or 'method,' as in いい手がある (having a good idea/plan).

Examples

1. ご飯の前に手を洗いましょう。 Let's wash our hands before eating.
2. 右手でペンを持ちます。 I hold my pen in my right hand.
3. 母の手料理はおいしいです。 My mother's home cooking is delicious.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, hygiene, helping

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 手 is a pictograph depicting a hand with five fingers spread open.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal