Japanese word

手のひら

Pronunciation

Romajitenohira

Meaning

  • nounpalm

Example

手のひらに汗をかきました。te no hi ra ni ase o ka ki ma shi ta

My palm got sweaty.

Illustration for 手のひら (palm)

More examples

小さな鳥が私の手のひらに乗りました。chii sa na tori ga watashi no te no hi ra ni no ri ma shi ta

A small bird landed on my palm.

Core concept

Describes the relatively flat inner surface of the hand, where objects can rest and touch is felt.

Common phrases

  • 手のひらを返すte no hi ra o kae su

    change one's attitude abruptly

  • 手のひらで転がすte no hi ra de koro ga su

    control ___ with ease

  • 手のひらに汗をかくte no hi ra ni ase o ka ku

    get sweaty palms

  • 手のひらで受けるte no hi ra de u ke ru

    catch with one's palm

  • 手のひらを広げるte no hi ra o hiro ge ru

    open one's palm

Definition in Japanese

手の内側にある平らな部分。te no uchi gawa ni a ru tai ra na bu bun

Word origin

The word 手のひら (tenohira) combines 手 (te, "hand"), の (no, "of"), and ひら (hira, "flat surface") to mean the flat surface of the hand.

Usage tips

  • In English, palm can also mean a palm tree, but 手のひら (tenohira) refers specifically to the inner surface of the hand.

Word lists with this word