Translation guide
The English phrase 'lay hands on' has several distinct meanings: to obtain or get hold of something, to touch or handle something, to physically attack someone, and to perform a religious act of blessing or healing by placing hands on someone. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
To acquire, find, or get something, often with a sense of effort or difficulty.
The most common and versatile way to say 'obtain' or 'get hold of' something. Can be used for both physical objects and abstract things.
どうしてもその本を手に入れたい。
I really want to lay my hands on that book.
彼はついに念願の車を手に入れた。
He finally got his hands on the car he'd been wanting.
A more formal, written-style verb meaning 'to obtain' or 'to acquire'. Often used in business or official contexts.
必要な資料を入手するのは難しかった。
It was difficult to lay hands on the necessary documents.
Literally 'to find', but often used when the focus is on locating something you want to obtain. More casual than 入手する.
やっとそのレアなゲームを見つけた。
I finally laid my hands on that rare game.
To touch or handle something, often with a nuance of doing so roughly, inappropriately, or with a specific purpose.
General verb for 'to touch'. Can be used for both gentle and rough contact. Often used in prohibitions.
その箱に手を触れないでください。
Don't lay a hand on that box.
誰かが私の机に触ったみたいだ。
It looks like someone laid hands on my desk.
Literally 'to touch with one's hand'. Slightly more formal or deliberate than 触る. Often used in warnings or instructions.
展示品に手を触れないでください。
Please do not lay hands on the exhibits.
Means 'to fiddle with' or 'to tamper with'. Implies touching something in a careless or meddlesome way.
To assault or use physical violence against someone.
Idiom meaning 'to lay a hand on someone' in the sense of starting a fight or using violence. Very common.
彼は怒って相手に手を出した。
He got angry and laid hands on his opponent.
あの人に手を出したら大変なことになるよ。
If you lay a hand on him, you'll be in big trouble.
Formal expression meaning 'to use violence' or 'to commit an act of violence'. Used in legal or serious contexts.
彼は妻に暴力を振るったとして逮捕された。
He was arrested for laying hands on his wife.
Specifically means 'to punch' or 'to hit'. More direct and physical than 手を出す.
To place hands on someone in a religious context to bless, heal, or ordain them.
The standard phrase for the physical act of laying hands on someone in a religious ceremony. Often used with 祈る (to pray).
牧師は病人に手を置いて祈った。
The pastor laid hands on the sick person and prayed.
A technical Christian term for the ritual of laying on of hands, especially for ordination or blessing. Used mainly in church contexts.
新しい牧師は按手を受けた。
The new pastor received the laying on of hands.
Do not translate 'lay hands on' literally as 手を置く in non-religious contexts. For obtaining something, use 手に入れる; for touching, use 触る; for attacking, use 手を出す.
その情報を手に入れるのは大変だ。
It's tough to lay hands on that information.
Don't lay your hands on my computer.
He suddenly laid hands on me and hit me.