Japanese word

手入れ

Pronunciation

Romajiteire

Meaning

  • nouncare

Example

毎日、庭を手入れします。mai nichi niwa o te i re shi ma su

I take care of the garden every day.

Illustration for 手入れ (care)

More examples

自転車は定期的に手入れをすると長持ちします。ji ten sha wa tei ki teki ni te i re o su ru to naga mo chi shi ma su

A bicycle lasts longer if you maintain it regularly.

Core concept

手入れ (teire, "care") centers on actively tending to something so that it stays orderly, healthy, or well maintained.

Common phrases

  • 手入れをするte i re o su ru

    take care of

  • 車の手入れkuruma no te i re

    car care

  • 庭の手入れniwa no te i re

    garden care

  • 髪の手入れkami no te i re

    hair care

Similar words

世話sewa: Care given to a person, animal, or plant to support its needs and well-being.
整備seibi: Work that keeps equipment, vehicles, or facilities in good working order.
メンテナンスmentenansu: Care and servicing that keep a possession or machine in good condition.
修理shūri: Work that fixes something after it becomes damaged or stops working.

Definition in Japanese

物や場所などに手を加えて整え、望ましい状態を保つこと。身なりや身体を整えること。mono ya ba sho na do ni te o kuwa e te totono e nozo ma shi i jō tai o tamo tsu ko to mi na ri ya shin tai o totono e ru ko to

Word origin

As a native Japanese compound, 手入れ (teire) joins 手 (te, "hand") and 入れ (ire), the ren'yōkei of 入れる (ireru, "put in"), suggesting hands-on work applied to something.

Usage tips

  • The expression 手入れが行き届く (teire ga ikitōku) describes something whose care is thorough and evident, making it useful when discussing well-kept surroundings or possessions.

Other meanings

  • maintenancenoun
  • groomingnoun

Word lists with this word