Hands and skill with 手
手 refers to the part of the human body from the shoulder to the fingertips. It also has a wide range of meanings, such as skill, method, and a person who works.
Etymology
This kanji is an ancient pictogram. It is the shape of a hand, old forms as a drawing of fingers and palm.
Ability
苦手 (Weak point)
苦手 refers to a situation where one is not skilled at a particular task or activity, or to a person with whom one does not get along, finds difficult to deal with, or dislikes.
It combines 苦 (difficult) with 手 (skill) to show a skill area that feels difficult.
Urushi asks Rin about what Ayumu was like in middle school.
- うるし:
- 「真面目だけど少し抜けてていつも真剣で勉強苦手でスポーツ万能か」
- “Serious but a bit absent-minded, always earnest, struggles with academics, but excels at sports, huh?”
Effort
手間 (Time and effort)
手間 refers to the time and effort (the work involved) spent on accomplishing something.
It combines 手 (hand) with 間 (interval) to show the time and labor taken up by the hands.
Hinagiku wants to see behind Rindou’s mask. Since Sazanka was scolded for trying the same, Hinagiku suggests they team up to take Rindou’s mask away. Asagao opposes the proposition, but Sazanka immediately quiets her by offering a bribe for her support.
- ヒナギク:
- 「ふーん。そっちでアサガオ買収してくれるなんて、ノリ気じゃない。」
- “Hmm. If you're willing to bribe Asagao on your side, you're pretty into this, aren't you?”
- 「私の術で言うこときかせる手間が省けたわ。」
- “Saves me the trouble using my technique to make her do as I say.”
- “Hmm. If you're willing to bribe Asagao on your side, you're pretty into this, aren't you?”
Gestures
握手 (Handshake)
握手 means the act of clasping each other’s right hands to express affection or friendship.
It combines 握 (grip) with 手 (hand) to show hands gripping each other.
Shin’ichi treats Ran to a day at Tropical Land as a reward for winning the city karate tournament. As they wait in line for a ride on the roller coaster, Shin’ichi explains all the reasons why Sherlock Holmes was the greatest detective.
- 新一:
- 「助手のワトソンに初めて会った時、握手しただけで、彼が軍医でアフガンに行ってた事を見抜いてしまったんだ…」
- “The first time he met his assistant Watson, Holmes could tell just from a handshake that he was a military doctor who had been stationed in Afghanistan...”
Handheld Objects
手鏡 (Hand mirror)
手鏡 is a small mirror designed to be held in the hand to reflect one’s face or figure.
It combines 手 (hand) with 鏡 (mirror) to show a mirror held in the hand.
Seeing Chibausa leaving Hotaru’s house, Haruka and Michiru stop over to pick her up. Michiru asks what the two were talking about, and Chibausa explains that it was a conversation about amulets and their mysterious protective powers. She asks if Michiru has one. Michiru says her mirror may be protective, to which Chibausa says it must be an amulet.
- みちる:
- 「あたしのこの手鏡はそんな可愛らしい物じゃないわね」
- “This hand mirror of mine isn't something that cute.”
Roles
相手 (Partner)
相手 refers to the object of an action or the person with whom one acts. Depending on the context, it can refer to a wide range of people, such as a conversation partner, an opponent in a competition or negotiation, or a romantic or marital partner.
It combines 相 (other party) with 手 (hand) to show the person you deal with.
Akari encounters an older gentleman looking for a police box, so he can report his missing daughter and son-in-law. Akari offers to take him around and see if they can find the couple. Once they are reunited, the daughter thanks Akari for finding her father.
- 娘:
- 「迷子になった父の相手をするの大変でしたでしょ？」
- “It must have been tough dealing with my dad when he got lost, right?”
- 「本当ガンコおやじで…」
- “He really is a stubborn old man...”
- “It must have been tough dealing with my dad when he got lost, right?”
- 父さん:
- 「迷子と言うなっ」
- “Don't say lost!”
- 「うるさい」
- “Annoying...”
- “Don't say lost!”
助手 (Assistant)
助手 refers to a person who works alongside a key figure in primary work or research to provide support and assistance, or to the position itself.
It combines 助 (help) with 手 (hand) to show a helping hand.
Shin’ichi treats Ran to a day at Tropical Land as a reward for winning the city karate tournament. As they wait in line for a ride on the roller coaster, Shin’ichi explains all the reasons why Sherlock Holmes was the greatest detective.
- 新一:
- 「助手のワトソンに初めて会った時、握手しただけで、彼が軍医でアフガンに行ってた事を見抜いてしまったんだ…」
- “The first time he met his assistant Watson, Holmes could tell just from a handshake that he was a military doctor who had been stationed in Afghanistan...”