(てまね)

てまねき
noun / verb (suru)
beckoning, hand gesture to come closer
1. beckoning, waving someone over
The gesture of waving one's hand to call someone closer. In Japan, the beckoning gesture is done with the palm facing down and fingers waving inward, which looks like waving goodbye to Westerners.
(かれ)手招(てまね)きをした。
He beckoned with his hand.
店員(てんいん)手招(てまね)きして、(せき)案内(あんない)してくれた。
The staff member beckoned me over and showed me to a seat.
()こうから友達(ともだち)手招(てまね)きしているのが()えたので、(はし)って()った。
I saw my friend beckoning from across the way, so I ran over.

手招(てまね)き describes the gesture of waving someone toward you. It is used both as a noun and in the pattern 手招(てまね)きする.

CULTURAL NOTE: The Japanese beckoning gesture is made with the palm facing down and fingers curling inward. This differs from the Western palm-up "come here" gesture. The (まね)(ねこ) (beckoning cat) figurine uses this same gesture.

PATTERN:

  • 手招(てまね)きする: to beckon (verb-suru usage)
  • 手招(てまね)きをする: to make a beckoning gesture

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 手招(てまね)きで()ぶ: to call someone over with a wave
  • 手招(てまね)きに(おう)じる: to respond to someone's beckoning