手先|てさきtesaki[3]odaka (tail-high)

1. nounfingers; fingertips
   マックスは手先てさきが器用きようだ。↗

   Max is clever with his fingers.
2. noununderling; stooge; tool; pawn; minion
   あいつの手先てさきじゃない。↗

   I don't live in his pocket.

• Related道具どうぐNeutralNeutral. An ordinary tool, but also a person being used, as in 「道具にされる」. Emphasizes being exploited.
• Related爪牙そうがWrittenWritten/formal prose. Literally claws and fangs; also someone serving a master. The retainer sense is not necessarily derogatory, while 「手先」 usually is.
• Related走狗そうくWrittenWritten/formal prose. Originally a hunting dog; figuratively someone who serves another slavishly. More strongly derogatory than 「手先」.
• Related先棒さきぼうCasualColloquial. Originally the bearer of the front of a palanquin; figuratively doing someone's legwork or acting as their vanguard. Derogatory.
• Relatedお先棒おさきぼうNeutralNeutral. Someone used by others to act as their front, as in 「お先棒を担ぐ」. Derogatory.
• RelatedイエスマンNeutralNeutral loanword. A yes-man who simply goes along with others; stresses having no opinions of one's own, not necessarily doing wrong for someone.

Use 「手先」 for fingertips or someone sent to do another's bidding, as in 「手先が器用」「敵の手先」. In written prose say 「爪牙」; for a strongly derogatory tone 「走狗」; for someone being used 「道具」; for a yes-man 「イエスマン」.

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

1. 手ての先さきの方ほう。
2. ある人ひとに使つかわれる者もの。