手

shǒu
#143 most
frequent character
hand
noun
Measure words:双 shuāng,只 zhī

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

手 is a picture of a hand, so it first meant 'hand'. From there it grew to mean actions done with the hands, a doer, a method, a skill, and an expert. As a part it is often shortened to 扌.

Drawn as: hand

手 as a component in other characters

meaning14 characters
拿掌摩拳攀摹擎挛掣掰挈挲擘搴
picture4 characters
拜挚搿掱

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Example Sentences

我用手写字。
wǒ yòng shǒu xiězì 。
I write characters with my hand.
他的手很大。
tāde shǒu hěndà 。
His hand is very big.
请把书递给我，我用手接。
qǐng bǎ shū dì gěi wǒ ， wǒ yòng shǒu jiē 。
Please hand me the book, I will catch it with my hand.

Words with similar meanings

掌zhǎng
palm
Generally refers specifically to the inner part of the hand.
拳quán
fist
Refers to a hand when it is closed into a fist.

Words Starting With 手

手机shǒu jī
cell phone; cellular phone; mobile phone
手表shǒu biǎo
"wrist watch
手套shǒu tào
"glove; mitten
手工shǒu gōng
handwork; manual
手指shǒu zhǐ
"finger

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