Japanese word

手数

Pronunciation

Romajitesū

Meaning

  • nountrouble

Example

お手数をおかけして、すみません。o te sū o o ka ke shi te su mi ma se n

Sorry for the trouble.

Illustration for 手数 (trouble)

More examples

お手数ですが、こちらにご記入をお願いします。o te sū de su ga ko chi ra ni go ki nyū o o nega i shi ma su

Sorry to trouble you, but please fill this out.

Core concept

It refers to the additional work and burden that someone takes on to help with another person's request.

Common phrases

  • お手数をおかけするo te sū o o ka ke su ru

    cause trouble

  • お手数ですがo te sū de su ga

    sorry to trouble you

Similar words

手間tema: The extra time and effort needed to complete a task.
面倒mendō: The trouble involved in dealing with a task or request.
負担futan: The work or responsibility placed on someone.

Definition in Japanese

相手に何かをしてもらう際に生じる余分な労力や面倒。ai te ni nan ka o shi te mo ra u sai ni shō ji ru yo bun na rō ryoku ya men dō

Word origin

手数 (tesū) combines 手 (te, "hand") with 数 (sū, "number"), suggesting a measure of the work required and the trouble that work creates for someone.

Usage tips

  • In polite Japanese, 手数 (tesū) commonly appears when a speaker acknowledges that a request has made someone else do extra work.

Word lists with this word