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Word 4108 of 4449

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手元

てもと

at hand; on hand; one's immediate reach; one's finances

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Examples

  1. 今は手元に辞書がありません。

    いまはてもとにじしょがありません。

    I don't have a dictionary on me right now.

  2. 私はいつも辞典を三冊手元に置いています。

    わたしはいつもじてんをさんさつてもとにおいています。

    I always keep three dictionaries at hand.

  3. 手元が狂って、線がまっすぐ引けなかった。

    てもとがくるって、せんがまっすぐひけなかった。

    My hand slipped and I couldn't draw the line straight.

Common patterns

手元にある
to be at hand
手元に置く
to keep close by
手元が狂う
one's hand slips

Memory tip

Within arm's reach, but also "in one's own hands": 手元不如意 means short of money, and 手元が狂う is a slip of the hand. 身近 is closeness in daily life, not physical reach.

Kanji in this word

Quick check

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What does 手元 mean?