How to say "handle" in Japanese

• 柄えJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe physical grip of a tool or utensil — the handle of a knife, pot, or similar object. It names the part itself, not the act of handling.
• ハンドルJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounThe loanword for a handle; in vehicles it means the steering wheel, and it also covers handles on doors and machines. Like 柄, it names the object, not the act.
  このハンドルがどうしても回まわらないんだ。↗

  This handle will not turn.
• 触るさわるJLPT N4approx.Common
  godan verb, intransitive verb, transitive verbReally means to touch or feel something with the hands; its handle sense is only this physical one. It is seldom the word you want for handling in the sense of managing or operating.
• 扱うあつかうJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe verb for dealing with people — treating them well or badly — and for handling matters, customers, or complaints. It covers the figurative handle, not the physical gripping or operating of objects.
• 取り扱うとりあつかうJLPT N1approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbFor handling things physically: operating or using a machine or device, and dealing with goods or matters. Choose it over 扱う when hands-on operation is meant.

Use 柄 or 「ハンドル」 for the physical part you grip, 「扱う」 for dealing with people or matters, 「取り扱う」 for operating machines and handling objects, and 「触る」 only when handle means simply touching.

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

• 柄えhandle
• ハンドルhandle
• 触るさわるto touch
• 扱うあつかうto deal with (a person)
• 取り扱うとりあつかうto handle
• 手がけるてがけるto handle
• 取っ手とってhandle
• つまみknob
• 操るあやつるto operate (e.g. a machine)
• 使いこなすつかいこなすto handle (men)
• 柄つかhilt (of a sword)
• 持ち手もちてhandle
• あしらうto treat
• 手掛けてかけhandle
• しこなすto handle (skilfully)
• 取り回すとりまわすto deal with effectively
• 引き手ひきてknob
• ハンドルネームscreen name
• 持ち扱うもちあつかうto hold or operate with one's hands
• ＨＮエイチ・エヌscreen name
• ハンネscreen name
• ハンドル名ハンドルめいscreen name
• 切り回すきりまわすto manage
• 手てhandle
• 使うつかうto use (a person, animal, puppet, etc.)
• にぎりhandle
• 付するふするto entrust
• 仕向けるしむけるto act toward (someone in a certain way)
• 取り次ぐとりつぐto act as an agent (between a manufacturer, wholesaler, etc. and retailers)
• 引き物ひきものhandle (on a fusuma or shoji door)
• 握り手にぎりてhandle
• 付すふすto entrust
• 握把あくはgrip (sword, gun, etc.)
• 手にかけるてにかけるto do personally
• かかるto attend
• 耳みみear (of a pot, jug, etc.)
• 手元てもとgrip