Readings: シュ (Onyomi), て, た- (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Hand
The kanji 手 is a pictograph of a hand with fingers.
View JLPT N4 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 手 is drawn with 4 strokes. It begins with a horizontal stroke, followed by a vertical stroke that extends downwards and curves slightly left. The third stroke is a diagonal line from top-left to bottom-right, starting from the middle. The fourth stroke is another diagonal line, similar to the third, placed to its right.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 手 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 4 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Grade | 1 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- 手 (shu)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- 手 (te)
- 手 (ta)
Common Words Using 手
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 助手 | じょしゅ | assistant |
| 手術 | しゅじゅつ | surgery |
| 選手 | せんしゅ | athlete, player |
| 手段 | しゅだん | means, way, measure |
| 手芸 | しゅげい | handicrafts |
| 着手 | ちゃくしゅ | to start, to set about |
| 入手 | にゅうしゅ | obtaining, getting |
| 握手 | あくしゅ | handshake |
| 手腕 | しゅわん | ability, skill |
| 持ち手 | もちて | handle, holder |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 手紙 | てがみ | letter |
| 上手 | じょうず | skillful, good at |
| 下手 | へた | unskillful, poor at |
| 手伝う | てつだう | to help |
| 手前 | てまえ | in front of, before |
| 手本 | てほん | model, example |
| 手袋 | てぶくろ | gloves |
| 手足 | てあし | limbs, hands and feet |
| 手書き | てがき | handwriting |
| お手洗い | おてあらい | restroom, toilet |
Example Sentences
Japanese: 彼女は手がきれいです。
Kana: かのじょはてがきれいです。
Romaji: Kanojo wa te ga kirei desu.
English: Her hands are beautiful.
Japanese: この手紙は母から来ました。
Kana: このてがみはははからきました。
Romaji: Kono tegami wa haha kara kimashita.
English: This letter came from my mother.
Japanese: 彼は料理が上手です。
Kana: かれはりょうりがじょうずです。
Romaji: Kare wa ryouri ga jouzu desu.
English: He is good at cooking.
Japanese: 宿題を手伝ってくれますか。
Kana: しゅくだいをてつだってくれますか。
Romaji: Shukudai wo tetsudatte kuremasu ka?
English: Can you help me with my homework?
Japanese: 猫が手を舐めています。
Kana: ねこがてをなめています。
Romaji: Neko ga te wo namete imasu.
English: The cat is licking its paw.
Japanese: 手を洗ってください。
Kana: てをあらってください。
Romaji: Te wo aratte kudasai.
English: Please wash your hands.
Japanese: 彼は野球選手です。
Kana: かれはやきゅうせんしゅです。
Romaji: Kare wa yakyuu senshu desu.
English: He is a baseball player.
Japanese: 手術は成功しました。
Kana: しゅじゅつはせいこうしました。
Romaji: Shujutsu wa seikou shimashita.
English: The surgery was successful.
Japanese: この仕事には人手が必要です。
Kana: このしごとにはひとでがひつようです。
Romaji: Kono shigoto ni wa hitode ga hitsuyou desu.
English: This job requires more hands (people).
Japanese: 彼女は手が早い。
Kana: かのじょはてがはやい。
Romaji: Kanojo wa te ga hayai.
English: She is quick (at work/doing things).
Related Grammar & kanji list
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