1.
one arm
One of a person's two arms. Can refer to the loss or absence of one arm.
片腕を怪我した。
I injured one arm.
片腕で重い荷物を持ち上げた。
He lifted the heavy luggage with one arm.
事故で片腕を失いながらも、選手として復帰した。
Despite losing one arm in an accident, he returned as an athlete.
2.
right-hand man, trusted assistant
A person's most trusted and capable aide or assistant. The metaphor likens an indispensable helper to one's own arm.
彼は社長の片腕だ。
He is the president's right-hand man.
長年片腕として支えてくれた部下が退職した。
The subordinate who had supported me as my right-hand man for many years retired.
監督の片腕として、チームの戦術を練る役割を担っている。
As the manager's right-hand man, he is responsible for devising the team's tactics.
USAGE:
Sense 1 is the literal meaning (one arm), while sense 2 is the figurative meaning (trusted aide). The figurative sense is very common, especially in business and organizational contexts. The metaphor emphasizes that the person is as essential and closely connected as one's own arm.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- ～の片腕: someone's right-hand man
- 片腕として働く: to serve as someone's right hand
- 片腕を失う: to lose one arm; to lose one's right-hand man