How to say "hand" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

手てJLPT N5approx.Common
nounThe basic word for the hand as a body part, and by extension the arm. This is the word you want in almost any sentence about someone's hands.
こちらに来くるように手てで合図あいずした。↗
I made motions at him to come here with my hand.
ハンドCommon
nounThe loanword for 'hand', covering the same body-part sense. It appears mainly in technical, sporting, or borrowed contexts, so 手 is usually the natural choice in ordinary sentences.
手渡すてわたすCommon
godan verb, transitive verbThe verb 'to hand (over)' or 'to deliver in person', emphasizing putting something directly into someone's hands. Use it for physically passing an object to a person.
彼女かのじょは私に１枚まいの紙かみを手渡てわたした。↗
She handed me a sheet of paper.
指針ししんCommon
nounCovers the noun 'hand' only in the sense of the pointer on a clock, compass, or gauge. For the body part or the verb, this is not the word you want; it also means 'indicator' or 'guideline'.
取るとるJLPT N5approx.Common
godan verb, transitive verbA general verb glossed 'to pass; to hand; to give'. It is really the common verb 'to take', so for handing something over, 手渡す is usually the more precise choice.
塩しおをとっていただけますか。↗
Could you pass me the salt, please?

Use 手 for the body part, 「ハンド」 for the body part in loanword contexts, 「手渡す」 or 「取る」 for the verb 'to hand', and 指針 for the hand of a clock or gauge.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese equivalents

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