Japanese word

両手

Pronunciation

Romajiryōte

Meaning

  • nounboth hands

Example

毎日両手を洗います。mai nichi ryō te o ara i ma su

I wash both hands every day.

Illustration for 両手 (both hands)

More examples

転ばないように、両手で手すりをつかみます。koro ba na i yō ni ryō te de te su ri o tsu ka mi ma su

I grip the railing with both hands so I do not fall.

Core concept

Expresses the two hands considered together, especially when they work as a pair.

Common phrases

  • 両手で支えるryō te de sasa e ru

    support with both hands

  • 両手を振るryō te o fu ru

    wave both hands

  • 両手を洗うryō te o ara u

    wash both hands

Definition in Japanese

左右二つの手。sa yū futa tsu no te

Word origin

The compound 両手 (ryōte) combines 両 (ryō, "both") with 手 (te, "hand").

Usage tips

  • The idiom 両手に花 (ryōte ni hana) literally means "flowers in both hands" and describes having two desirable choices or companions.

Other meanings

  • both armsnoun

Word lists with this word