手土産(てみやげ)

Etymology

手(て) (hand) + 土産(みやげ) (souvenir) → something brought by hand

Similar words

• お土産(みやげ): souvenirs from a trip
• 手土産(てみやげ): gifts brought when visiting someone

Cultural note

Typical choices are sweets or fruit that the household can share. Sets of four or nine are avoided, since 四(し) and 九(く) can be read し (death) and く (suffering). The gift is handed over with a phrase such as 心(こころ)ばかりですが or the traditional つまらないものですが. A 手土産(てみやげ) is also expected on business visits to a client (取引先(とりひきさき)).