Hand Idioms Part II

Japanese is a language full of fun idioms. Let’s explore a few Body Part Idioms using the Hand. These two idioms are perhaps the most useful ‘hand’ idioms in Japanese. 手てがいっぱい to have one’s hands full; be up to here (with something); busy 手てに入いれる to obtain; get; come by… More…

Japanese is a language full of fun idioms. Let’s explore a few Body Part Idioms using the Hand. These two idioms are perhaps the most useful ‘hand’ idioms in Japanese. Listen to the idiom and then study the example sentence.

手てがいっぱいで、今いまはなにもできません。



My hands are full; I can’t do anything right now.

いっぱい—full; lots
今いま—now
なにも—nothing [ends with a negative verb (できません)]
できません—can’t do (anything)

長年ながねんほしかったアンティーク品ひんを手てに入いれた。



I got my hands on an antique that I’ve wanted for years.

長年ながねん—a long time; many years
ほしかった—wanted
アンティーク品ひん—an antique object
入いれた—put something into something

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