手掛かり

tegakari
/teŋakaɾi/
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Something to grasp, whether as a lead toward an answer or with the hand.

Examples

  • 彼は手掛かりを頼りに登った。
    He climbed using the handholds.
  • 解決の手掛かりを探している。
    We are looking for a clue to the solution.
  • 濡れた岩には手掛かりが少ない。
    The wet rock had few handholds.
  • 岩に手掛かりが見つからない。
    I cannot find a handhold on the rock.
  • 警察は新しい手掛かりを見つけた。
    The police found a new clue.

Similar words

糸口
つかまる所
ヒント

Meanings

Clue or lead

noun
investigation
neutral
A piece of information that helps someone begin to solve a problem or find something.

Examples

  • 警察は新しい手掛かりを見つけた。
    The police found a new clue.
  • 写真が場所を特定する手掛かりになった。
    The photo provided a clue to the location.
  • 事件の手掛かりはまだ少ない。
    There are still few clues to the case.
  • 昔の手紙から手掛かりを得た。
    An old letter gave us a lead.
  • 解決の手掛かりを探している。
    We are looking for a clue to the solution.

Similar words

Handhold

noun
movement
neutral
A place on a surface where the hand can grip for support while climbing.

Examples

  • 岩に手掛かりが見つからない。
    I cannot find a handhold on the rock.
  • 壁の小さな手掛かりをつかんだ。
    I gripped a small handhold in the wall.
  • 彼は手掛かりを頼りに登った。
    He climbed using the handholds.
  • 濡れた岩には手掛かりが少ない。
    The wet rock had few handholds.
  • 指が入る手掛かりを探した。
    I searched for a handhold my fingers could fit into.

Similar words

Etymology

Literally a place to put a hand, extended to information one can grasp to advance.

FAQ

What does 手掛かり mean?

Something to grasp, whether as a lead toward an answer or with the hand.

How do you read 手掛かり?

It is read てがかり, written tegakari.

When would you use 手掛かり?

The clue sense is common in investigation and problem solving; the physical sense retains the literal grip.

How is 手掛かり different from 足掛かり?

足掛かり is a foothold or starting base; 手掛かり is a clue or something the hand can grasp.

How does 手掛かり change in a sentence?

A noun, often in 手掛かりをつかむ or 手掛かりになる.

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