手がかり・手掛かり・手懸かり|てがかりtegakari[2]nakadaka (mid-high)

1. nounclue; lead; key; trail; scent; track
   その殺人者さつじんしゃの正体しょうたいは手掛てがかりがまったくなかった。↗

   There was no clue as to the identity of the murderer.
2. nounhandhold; hold
   ここの下くだりも手掛てがかりがないので危険きけんだ。↗

   The downclimb here is also dangerous as there are no handholds.

• Synonym足がかりあしがかりNeutralA foothold or stepping stone — literally for climbing, figuratively a base to build on. 「手がかり」 is about clues.
• Synonym鍵かぎNeutralA key, literal or figurative — what unlocks a problem. 「手がかり」 is a clue that leads you toward the answer.
• Synonym端緒たんしょWrittenWritten/formal prose for the start or first thread of something, as in 「解決の端緒」. 「手がかり」 centers on clues.
• SynonymキーNeutralLoanword for a key — a physical one, or the key to a matter. 「手がかり」 is about clues.
• SynonymヒントNeutralLoanword for a hint or helpful nudge, typical with puzzles and problems. 「手がかり」 is a clue leading to the answer or the truth.
• SynonymきっかけNeutralThe occasion or trigger that starts something off, as in 「話のきっかけ」. 「手がかり」 is a clue for working something out.
• Synonym手蔓てづるNeutralConnections or channels you can lean on to get things done. 「手がかり」 is about clues for solving a case or problem, not people to rely on.
• Related決め手きめてNeutralThe decisive factor or clinching evidence — what settles the matter. 「手がかり」 is only a clue.
• Related糸口いとぐちNeutralA thread or lead into a problem, as in 「解決の糸口」. 「手がかり」 is more concrete.
• Related示唆しさWrittenWritten/formal prose for a suggestion or hint that sparks insight. 「手がかり」 is a concrete clue.
• RelatedキーポイントNeutralLoanword for the key point — the part you cannot do without to understand something. 「手がかり」 is about clues.
• Related暗示あんじNeutralA hint or suggestion, including psychological suggestion. 「手がかり」 is a concrete clue.
• Related傍証ぼうしょうWrittenWritten/formal prose for indirect supporting evidence in research, argument or trials. 「手がかり」 is broader.
• RelatedほのめかしNeutralA vague hint conveyed without saying anything outright. 「手がかり」 is a concrete clue.

For a clue in solving a case or problem, use 「手がかり」, as in 「手がかりを掴む」. Reach for 「ヒント」 when someone gives you a hint, 「糸口」 for a thread into a problem, 「決め手」 for the decisive evidence, 「きっかけ」 for the trigger that starts something, and 「手蔓」 for connections you can use.

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

1. 体からだの支ささえとして手てを掛かける所ところ。
2. 問題解決もんだいかいけつのための切っ掛きっかけ。糸口いとぐち。
3. 弓ゆみや銃じゅうなどの射程しゃてい範囲はんい。