This Hanja is 수. It represents a “hand,” but it also carries meanings like “skill,” “means,” or “method.” Since it’s a pictograph of a human hand, it usually conveys meanings related to the functions or roles of our hands.
Sometimes, it expresses technical skills, which is why 수 is often used to refer to experts or professionals with special abilities.
When Koreans memorize this character, they say “손 수.” “손” is the meaning, and “수” is the Korean pronunciation. When 手 (수) is part of another character, it often changes its form to this. (扌)
Let’s look at some Sino-Korean words using 手 (수).
- 세수 (洗手) washing one’s face
- 수건 (手巾) towel
- 수단 (手段) means, method
- 실수 (失手) mistake
- 수술 (手術) surgery
- 수첩 (手帖) pocket notebook
- 박수 (拍手) applause, clapping
- 악수 (握手) handshake
- 수표 (手票) bank check
- 수화 (手話) sign language
- 수선 (手線) repair, mending
- 수속 (手續) procedure, formalities
- 수당 (手當) extra pay, allowance
- 가수 (歌手) singer
- 목수 (木手) carpenter
- 투수 (投手) pitcher (baseball)
- 포수 (捕手) catcher (baseball)
- 포수 (砲手) hunter, gunner
- 조수 (助手) assistant
- 궁수 (弓手) archer
- 선수 (選手) athlete, player
- 백수 (白手) unemployed person
It literally means “White Hands.” It means you haven’t been doing any manual labor or working in the fields. Over time, it came to describe someone who is unemployed or doesn’t have a job.
- 수수료 (手數料) commission, fee
- 수류탄 (手榴彈) hand grenade
- 수하물 (手荷物) baggage, luggage
- 수화물 (手貨物) baggage, luggage
- 수공예 (手工藝) handcraft
- 수신호 (手信號) hand signal
- 무용수 (舞踊手) dancer
- 수비수 (守備手) defender (sports)
Now you have a better “grip” on Korean vocabulary!
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