手(て)の甲(こう)

てのこう
noun
back of the hand
1. back of the hand
The dorsal side of the hand, opposite to the palm.
手(て)の甲(こう)に日焼(ひや)け止(ど)めを塗(ぬ)る。
To apply sunscreen on the back of the hand.
手(て)の甲(こう)で額(ひたい)の汗(あせ)を拭(ふ)く。
To wipe the sweat from the forehead with the back of the hand.
手(て)の甲(こう)にシミができた。
Age spots appeared on the back of my hand.

COMPOSITION: 手(て) (hand) + の (possessive) + 甲(こう) (shell, carapace, back). The character 甲(こう) refers to the hard outer surface, as in a turtle's shell.

CONTRAST:

  • 手(て)の甲(こう): back of the hand (dorsal side)
  • 手(て)の平(ひら)/掌(てのひら): palm (palmar side)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 手(て)の甲(こう)で拭(ふ)く (to wipe with the back of the hand)
  • 手(て)の甲(こう)にキスをする (to kiss the back of the hand)
  • 手(て)の甲(こう)のシミ (age spots on the back of the hand)
  • 手(て)の甲(こう)に塗(ぬ)る (to apply to the back of the hand)

USAGE NOTE: 手(て)の甲(こう) is commonly mentioned in contexts of:

  • Skincare and sun protection
  • Gestures and body language
  • Medical examinations (checking veins, IV placement)

RELATED BODY PARTS:

  • 手(て)の平(ひら)/掌(てのひら) (palm)
  • 足(あし)の甲(こう) (top of the foot)
  • 二(に)の腕(うで) (upper arm)
  • 指(ゆび) (finger)

Related Words

Antonym: 手(て)のひら (palm)
Related: 二(に)の腕(うで) (upper arm)
core
Added 2026.1.17 22:34 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06000/06438_tenokou