1.
fingertips, fingers
The tips of one's fingers, or one's hands in terms of manual skill and dexterity.
手先が器用だ。
To be good with one's hands.
寒くて手先がかじかんでいる。
My fingertips are numb from the cold.
細かい作業には手先の器用さが求められる。
Detailed work requires dexterity with one's hands.
2.
agent, pawn, henchman
A person used as a tool by someone more powerful. Carries a negative connotation of being manipulated.
敵の手先だった。
He was an agent of the enemy.
権力者の手先として利用された。
He was used as a pawn of those in power.
あの男は組織の手先にすぎないと見られている。
That man is seen as nothing more than a tool of the organization.
USAGE:
Sense 1 (fingertips/dexterity) is common in everyday conversation, especially in the set phrase 手先が器用 (skillful with one's hands). Sense 2 (agent/pawn) is used pejoratively to describe someone acting on behalf of another, usually a more powerful figure.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 手先が器用: skillful with one's hands
- 手先が不器用: clumsy with one's hands
- 敵の手先: an agent of the enemy
- ～の手先になる: to become someone's tool/pawn