Translation guide
In Japanese, referring to one's own hands is usually done with the word 手 (te), often without a possessive pronoun. The phrase 'one's hands' is used in many idiomatic expressions, which are translated with specific Japanese phrases rather than literal translations.
Referring to one's own hands as body parts
The most common and natural way to say 'hand' or 'hands'. In Japanese, possessive pronouns like 'my' are often omitted when the context makes it clear.
手を洗ってください。
Please wash your hands.
手が冷たい。
My hands are cold.
Used when you need to emphasize 'one's own hands', for example in contrast to someone else's hands.
自分の手でやりなさい。
Do it with your own hands.
Expressing that something is under one's control or responsibility
Literally 'to be in one's hands', meaning to have something under one's control or possession. Often used in formal or written contexts.
証拠は彼の手中にある。
The evidence is in his hands.
A more literal and casual version of 手中にある, meaning 'in one's hands'.
運命は君の手の中にある。
Destiny is in your hands.
To obtain or acquire something, often with effort
The most common way to say 'get one's hands on' or 'obtain'. Used for both tangible and intangible things.
どうやってその本を手に入れたの？
How did you get your hands on that book?
彼はついに成功を手に入れた。
He finally got his hands on success.
To be very busy or occupied
Literally 'can't let go of one's hands', meaning you are too busy to do anything else.
今、手が離せないので、後で電話します。
I have my hands full right now, so I'll call you later.
Means 'to have one's hands full' or 'to be at full capacity'. Often used in work contexts.
今週は仕事で手一杯だ。
I have my hands full with work this week.
To disclaim responsibility or involvement
Literally 'pull one's hand back', meaning to withdraw from involvement or wash one's hands of a matter.
彼はその計画から手を引いた。
He washed his hands of the plan.
Literally 'wash one's feet', used figuratively to mean quitting a shady business or washing one's hands of a bad lifestyle. Not a direct translation but similar in meaning.
To deal with something personally instead of waiting for others
A natural way to express taking matters into one's own hands, meaning to handle something oneself.
誰も助けてくれないなら、自分で何とかするしかない。
If no one helps, I'll have to take matters into my own hands.
A more formal or literary way to say 'resolve with one's own hands'.
彼は問題を自らの手で解決した。
He took matters into his own hands and solved the problem.
Suffering something caused by a person or group
Used to indicate the agent of an action, especially negative. The pattern is [person]の手によって.
彼は敵の手によって殺された。
He was killed at the hands of the enemy.
Similar to 〜の手によって, but often implies falling victim to someone. Pattern: [person]の手にかかって.
多くの人がその独裁者の手にかかって死んだ。
Many people died at the hands of that dictator.
Involving active participation or direct experience
Adjective meaning 'practical' or 'hands-on'. Used to describe experience, training, etc.
このコースでは実践的な経験が得られます。
You can get hands-on experience in this course.
Literally 'move one's hands', used to mean doing practical work rather than just thinking or talking.
もっと手を動かして学びなさい。
Learn by getting your hands dirty (literally: moving your hands more).
In Japanese, when referring to body parts, it is usually clear from context whose body part is meant, so words like 私の (my) are often omitted. Saying 私の手を洗います is grammatically correct but sounds unnatural; simply say 手を洗います.
手 (te) refers to the hand from the wrist down. 手首 (tekubi) specifically means 'wrist'. 腕 (ude) means 'arm' from the shoulder to the wrist. Be careful not to confuse these.
彼は鳥を手にそっと包み込んだ。
He held the bird gently in his hands.
彼女は両手に顔を埋めた。
She buried her face in her hands.
彼はやくざの世界から足を洗った。
He washed his hands of the yakuza world.