Japanese word

手動

Pronunciation

Romajishudō

Meaning

  • nounmanual

Example

この機械は手動で動きます。ko no ki kai wa shu dō de ugo ki ma su

This machine operates manually.

Illustration for 手動 (manual)

More examples

この扉は手動で開けてください。ko no tobira wa shu dō de a ke te ku da sa i

Please open this door manually.

Core concept

Describes movement or operation carried out directly by a person rather than by automatic control.

Common phrases

  • 手動操作shu dō sō sa

    manual operation

  • 手動入力shu dō nyū ryoku

    manual input

Similar words

手作業tesagyō: Work performed directly by a person instead of by an automated process.
人力jinriki: Physical power provided by people rather than by machinery.
手操作tesōsa: Control of a device or process directly with the hands.

Definition in Japanese

機械などを人が直接操作して動かすこと。ki kai na do o hito ga choku setsu sō sa shi te ugo ka su ko to

Word origin

手動 (shudō) combines 手 (shu, "hand") with 動 (dō, "to move"), expressing movement produced through human handling.

Usage tips

  • The English noun manual often means an instruction book, while Japanese 手動 (shudō) specifically concerns operating something by hand or by direct human control.

Opposites

Related words

  • 手動化shudōkamanualizationnoun

Word lists with this word