手(て)のひら

手(て)のひら is composed of 手(て) (hand) + ひら (flat surface). It refers to the inner surface of the hand, the palm.

Alternative writing

Can be written as 掌(てのひら) with a single kanji, though the hiragana form is more common.

Common patterns

• 手(て)のひらに汗(あせ)をかく: to sweat on one's palms (from nervousness)
• 手(て)のひらサイズ: palm-sized
• 手(て)のひらを合(あ)わせる: to press palms together (in prayer or greeting)

Common expressions

手(て)のひらを返(かえ)す means to do a complete about-face — to suddenly and drastically change one's attitude or opinion, often in a negative sense (like betrayal or opportunism).

Related body parts

• 手(て)の甲(こう): back of the hand
• 指(ゆび): finger
• 手首(てくび): wrist
• 拳(こぶし): fist