手元(てもと)

てもと
noun
at hand; on hand; close by
directiondaily-life
1. at hand; close by
The area near one's hands or within easy reach.
手元(てもと)に辞書(じしょ)がある。
I have a dictionary at hand.
手元(てもと)に資料(しりょう)がないので、後(あと)で確認(かくにん)します。
I don't have the materials at hand, so I'll check later.
携帯(けいたい)をいつも手元(てもと)に置(お)いている。
I always keep my phone close at hand.
2. one's possession; available resources
What one currently has in their possession, especially money or materials.
手元(てもと)の現金(げんきん)が足(た)りない。
I don't have enough cash on hand.
手元(てもと)に残(のこ)った貯金(ちょきん)は少(すく)ない。
The savings I have left on hand are small.
今月(こんげつ)は出費(しゅっぴ)が多(おお)くて、手元(てもと)にほとんどお金(かね)がない。
I spent a lot this month and have almost no money on hand.
3. hand movements; handling
The way one uses their hands, especially in skilled work.
手元(てもと)が狂(くる)った。
My hand slipped.
手元(てもと)が狂(くる)ってコップを落(お)としてしまった。
My hand slipped and I dropped the cup.
手元(てもと)が暗(くら)くて、細(こま)かい作業(さぎょう)がしにくい。
It's dark where my hands are, so it's hard to do detailed work.

Common patterns

Common expressions

  • 手元(てもと)不如意(ふにょい) - being short of money
  • 手元(てもと)を離(はな)れる - to leave one's hands (possession)
  • 手元(てもと)に届(とど)く - to arrive at hand

Related words

Related Words

Related: 手持(ても)ち (what one has on hand)
Related: 身近(みぢか) (close at hand, familiar)
general
Added 2026.1.20 21:57 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
07500/07605_temoto