If you’ve been studying Japanese for a while, you probably know how often the word 手 (て – hand) pops up. But did you know that when 手 is used in idioms, it often goes far beyond the literal “hand”?
Mastering idioms with 手 can make your Japanese sound more natural, fluent, and nuanced.
Today, let’s explore 10 powerful idioms with 手 that you can start using right away.
1. 手に負えない (てにおえない)
Literal meaning: A problem that cannot be controlled “in one’s hands.”
Real meaning: Something is beyond one’s ability to handle.
Example 1:
この仕事は、私一人では手に負えないよ。This job is too much for me to handle on my own.
Example 2:
子どもたちが騒ぎすぎて、途中手に負えなくなってしまった。My kids got so noisy that it became impossible to control.
2. 手につかない (てにつかない)
Literal meaning: Can’t keep one’s hands on something.
Real meaning: Can’t concentrate or focus on work/study.
Example 1:
怪我をした彼女のことが心配で、勉強が手につかない。I’m so worried about my girlfriend’s injury that I can’t concentrate on my studies.
Example 2:
昨日のことを考えると仕事が手につかない。Thinking about yesterday keeps me from focusing on work.
3. 手に余る (てにあまる)
Literal meaning: Exceeds the capacity of one’s hands.
Real meaning: Too difficult or beyond one’s capability.
Example 1:
正直この問題は私には手に余る。Honestly, this problem is beyond me.
Example 2:
新人社員にはこの仕事は手に余るかもしれない。This task might be too much for a new employee.
4. 手を尽くす (てをつくす)
Literal meaning: To exhaust one’s hands.
Real meaning: To do everything possible; to make every effort.
Example 1:
お医者さんたちは手を尽くしてくれたけど、祖父は助からなかった。The doctors did everything they could, but my grandfather couldn’t be saved.
Example 2:
問題解決のために、あらゆる方法で手を尽くした。We tried every possible way to solve the problem.
5. 手を回す (てをまわす)
Literal meaning: To move one’s hands around.
Real meaning: To make arrangements behind the scenes; pull some strings.
Example 1:
彼はすでに関係者に手を回しているよ。He’s already made arrangements with the people involved.
Example 2:
そのことなら、前もって手を回しておいたから大丈夫。Don’t worry, I took care of it in advance.
6. 手を切る (てをきる)
Literal meaning: To cut one’s hands apart.
Real meaning: To cut ties or end a relationship (often with shady people or bad habits).
Example 1:
彼は複数の昔の友達と手を切ったみたい。It seems he cut ties with several of his old friends.
Example 2:
正直、あの団体とは手を切りたい。Honestly, I’d like to sever ties with that organisation.
7.手を打つ (てをうつ)
Literal meaning: To strike with one’s hand.
Real meaning: To take measures; to take action.
Example 1:
早めに手を打つ必要があるね。We need to take measures early.
Example 2:
あの会社はすでに新しい対策のために手を打っている。That company has already taken steps for new measures.
8. 手を差し伸べる (てをさしのべる)
Literal meaning: To extend one’s hand.
Real meaning: To offer help or support.
Example 1:
困っている人に手を差し伸べられる人でありたいです。I want to be someone who can reach out to people in need.
Example 2:
彼は、人生どん底だった私に手を差し伸べてくれた。He extended a helping hand to me when I was at rock bottom.
9. 手を引く (てをひく)
Literal meaning: To pull one’s hand away.
Real meaning: To withdraw; to quit.
Example 1:
そのビジネスからは手を引きました。I withdrew from that business.
Example 2:
彼は政界から手を引くことにしたようだ。It seems he has decided to pull out of politics.
10. 手を組む (てをくむ)
Literal meaning: To join hands.
Real meaning: To cooperate or team up.
Example 1:
二つの大手会社が手を組んだ。Two major companies have joined forces.
Example 2:
問題解決のために彼らと手を組んだほうがいいです。We should team up with them to solve the problem.
Final Tip
Notice how 手 idioms often describe control, action, and relationships. By using them, you’ll sound not only more fluent but also more expressive and natural in conversations.
Why not choose two or three of these and try them out in your next Japanese conversation or writing practice? I’d love to see what you come up with!
コメント