Japanese word

手芸

Pronunciation

Romajishugei

Meaning

  • nounhandicrafts

Example

母は手芸が好きです。haha wa shu gei ga su ki de su

My mother likes handicrafts.

Illustration for 手芸 (handicrafts)

More examples

妹は学校で手芸を習い始めました。imōto wa gak kō de shu gei o nara i haji me ma shi ta

My younger sister started learning handicrafts at school.

Core concept

Refers to the skilled handwork used to create objects for decoration or everyday use.

Common phrases

  • 手芸をするshu gei o su ru

    do handicrafts

  • 手芸が得意shu gei ga toku i

    be good at handicrafts

  • 手芸を習うshu gei o nara u

    learn handicrafts

Similar words

手工芸shukōgei: Skilled manual work that produces crafted objects through established techniques.
工芸kōgei: Skilled work that shapes materials into artistic or useful objects.
裁縫saihō: The work of sewing cloth to make or repair clothing and other items.
編み物amimono: The making of clothing or other items by looping yarn with needles or a hook.

Definition in Japanese

手先の技術を用いて、布や糸などから装飾品や実用品を作ること。te saki no gi jutsu o mochi i te nuno ya ito na do ka ra sō shoku hin ya jitsu yō hin o tsuku ru ko to

Word origin

手芸 (shugei, "handicrafts") combines 手 (shu, "hand") with 芸 (gei, "art or skill"), using the on-yomi readings of both kanji to describe skilled work done by hand.

Usage tips

  • English uses needlework mainly for sewing and related work, while 手芸 (shugei) can also include crafts made with paper, beads, or other materials.

Other meanings

  • needleworknoun

Related words

  • 手芸家shugeikacraftspersonnoun

Word lists with this word