Onyomi: シュ, ズ · Kunyomi: -て, た-, て, て- · Meanings: hand
Kanji for hand
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Find visually similar kanji, commonly confused characters, related meanings, and useful words connected to 手.
The kanji 手 depicts a hand with fingers extended, symbolizing grasping, holding, or performing actions. In ancient times, it represented the physical hand and its abilities. 手 came to mean hand, skill, or action, capturing touch, manipulation, and human capability.
A hand with fingers — 手 means hand, skill, or action.
Imagine your hand reaching out to hold or create — that’s 手, the kanji for hand and ability.
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Meta |
|---|---|---|---|
| 手 | て | hand, arm | common JLPT-N5 Noun |
| 手紙 | てがみ | letter, note | common JLPT-N5 Noun |
| 手袋 | てぶくろ | glove, mitten, mitt | common JLPT-N4 Noun |
| 手首 | てくび | wrist | common JLPT-N2 Noun |
| 手前 | てまえ | before oneself, in front of one, nearby | common JLPT-N2 Noun |
| 手洗い | てあらい | washing one's hands, water (or basin, etc.) for washing one's hands | common JLPT-N2 Noun |
| 手錠 | てじょう | handcuffs, manacles | common JLPT-N1 Noun |
| 手伝う | てつだう | to help, to assist, to aid | common JLPT-N4 Godan verb with 'u' ending, Transitive verb |
| 手段 | しゅだん | means, way, measure | common JLPT-N3 Noun |
| 手術 | しゅじゅつ | surgery, operation, procedure | common JLPT-N3 Noun, Suru verb, Transitive verb |