手先(てさき)

てさき
noun
fingertips, fingers; agent, pawn
body-partperson
1. fingertips, fingers
The tips of one's fingers, or one's hands in terms of manual skill and dexterity.
手先(てさき)が器用(きよう)だ。
To be good with one's hands.
寒(さむ)くて手先(てさき)がかじかんでいる。
My fingertips are numb from the cold.
細(こま)かい作業(さぎょう)には手先(てさき)の器用(きよう)さが求(もと)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(てき)の手先(てさき)だった。
He was an agent of the enemy.
権力者(けんりょくしゃ)の手先(てさき)として利用(りよう)された。
He was used as a pawn of those in power.
あの男(おとこ)は組織(そしき)の手先(てさき)にすぎないと見(み)られている。
That man is seen as nothing more than a tool of the organization.

Usage

Sense 1 (fingertips/fingers) is common in everyday conversation, especially in the set phrase 手先(てさき)が器用(きよう) (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

Related Words

Synonym: 手下(てした) (henchman, underling)
general
Added 2026.2.23 8:04 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
12500/12939_tesaki