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手配する

B1 verb #4,000 most common 9 min read

手配する

tehai suru Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 手配する in 30 Seconds

Explanation 手配する in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use 'tehai suru' often. You can usually get by with 'junbi' (preparation) or 'yoyaku' (reservation). However, it's good to recognize it as a word that means 'to get something ready.' Imagine you are asking a teacher to get a book for you. While you might say 'yoyaku,' if the teacher has to call another library to get it, that whole process is 'tehai.' Just remember: 'tehai' = 'arranging something that takes a few steps.' You will mostly see this in very simple travel phrases like 'Hotel o tehai shimasu' (I will arrange a hotel). Think of it as a more professional way to say 'I will book it.' At this stage, just focus on the 'booking' aspect and don't worry about the police or complex business meanings. Focus on the 'te' (hand) and 'hai' (arrange) kanji to help you remember that someone is 'handling' the 'arrangement' for you.

By A2, you are starting to talk about your daily life and work in more detail. 'Tehai suru' becomes useful when you are talking about travel or organizing small events with friends. If you tell a friend, 'I'll arrange the car for our trip,' you can say 'Kuruma o tehai suru ne.' This sounds a bit more responsible than just saying 'yoyaku.' It shows you are taking care of the logistics. You might also see this on websites when you buy things. If a message says 'Hassō tehai' (Shipping arrangement), it means they are getting your package ready to send. At this level, you should be able to use 'tehai shite kudasai' (please arrange) when asking for help at a hotel or office. It's a polite way to ask someone to take care of a logistical task for you. Notice how it is used with the particle 'o' for the thing you want arranged.

At the B1 level, 'tehai suru' is a core vocabulary word. You are expected to use it in professional settings and understand its nuances. You should be able to distinguish it from 'junbi' and 'yoi.' While 'junbi' is general preparation, 'tehai' is the specific act of securing a resource. For example, if you are organizing a meeting, 'junbi' includes printing the handouts, but 'tehai' is specifically booking the room and the catering. This distinction is crucial for clear communication in a Japanese office. You should also be aware of the noun form, 'tehai,' and how it's used in phrases like 'tehai ga totonou' (arrangements are complete). You'll start to hear this word in news reports as well, especially regarding the 'wanted' status of suspects. This is the level where you move beyond simple 'booking' and start seeing the word as a tool for coordinating people and services.

At B2, you should be comfortable using 'tehai suru' in complex sentences and various registers. You will use the humble form 'tehai itashimasu' when speaking to clients or superiors to show that you are handling their requests with care. You should also understand the causative and passive forms. For example, 'Tehai sasete itadakimasu' (I will take the liberty of arranging it). This level requires understanding the broader logistical implications. If a project is delayed because 'tehai ga okureta' (the arrangements were delayed), you are talking about a failure in the coordination process. You should also be familiar with compound words like 'shimei tehai' (wanted by name/police) and 'kyūbin tehai' (arranging express delivery). You are now using the word to describe the invisible 'gears' that make businesses and society run smoothly. You understand that 'tehai' involves negotiation, timing, and resource management.

For C1 learners, 'tehai suru' is used with precision in high-level discourse. You understand the subtle difference between 'tehai' and 'chōtatsu' (procurement) or 'fusetsu' (laying down/arranging infrastructure). You can use the word metaphorically or in highly specialized contexts like supply chain management or legal proceedings. At this level, you might discuss the 'tehai-ryoku' (ability to arrange/organize) of a manager as a key professional trait. You are also aware of the historical nuances of the kanji and how the word has evolved. In a legal or investigative context, you understand the nuances of 'unabated wanted status' and how it differs from other types of police alerts. Your usage of 'tehai suru' is not just about 'booking' anymore; it's about the sophisticated management of expectations and resources across different sectors of society. You can write professional reports using the term to describe complex logistical operations without error.

At the C2 level, '手配する' is a tool you use with the finesse of a native speaker. You understand the administrative weight it carries in government and corporate structures. You might use it in academic papers to describe the 'logistical arrangements' of historical events or in high-level business negotiations to define the scope of work. You are sensitive to the stylistic difference between using 'tehai' and more archaic or hyper-formal synonyms like 'shitsuraeru' (to set up/arrange beautifully) or 'kōsei' (composition). You can interpret the word's use in literature, where it might be used to describe the 'arrangement' of a person's life or fate. Your mastery includes the ability to use the word in puns, double-entendres, or very specific technical jargon within the Japanese legal system. You don't just 'know' the word; it is a natural part of your professional and intellectual identity in the Japanese language.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

手配する in 30 Seconds

To arrange or coordinate logistics.
Used for booking services (hotels, taxis).
Means 'to put on a wanted list' for police.
Common in professional/business Japanese.

The Japanese verb 手配する (tehai suru) is a versatile and essential term primarily used in business, logistics, and law enforcement. At its core, it means 'to arrange,' 'to prepare,' or 'to organize' resources, services, or people to achieve a specific goal. The word is composed of two kanji: 手 (te) meaning 'hand' and 配 (hai) meaning 'distribute' or 'arrange.' Historically, it suggests the idea of physically 'handling' the 'distribution' of tasks or items. In modern Japanese, it is the go-to verb when you need to book a hotel, arrange a taxi, or coordinate a meeting. It carries a nuance of professional responsibility and logistical coordination that simpler words like 準備する (junbi suru) might lack.

Business Context: In a corporate environment, this word is used for everything from booking flight tickets for a boss to organizing the catering for a seminar. It implies that the person is taking care of all the necessary steps to ensure the service is secured.

出張のために、新幹線のチケットを手配しました。(I arranged the Shinkansen tickets for the business trip.)

Beyond logistics, tehai suru has a very specific second meaning in the context of law enforcement: to put someone on a wanted list. When the police 'tehai' a suspect, they are distributing the person's information to all precincts to facilitate an arrest. This is known as 指名手配 (shimei tehai - being on the wanted list). While this might seem disconnected from booking a hotel, the underlying logic is the same: the 'arrangement' and 'distribution' of resources (in this case, information and manpower) to achieve a result.

Logistical Nuance: It often refers to 'getting' something that isn't immediately available. You don't just 'have' it; you have to go through a process to 'arrange' it.

In daily life, you might hear this word at a travel agency or when talking to a concierge. If a hotel staff member says, 'タクシーを手配しましょうか？' (Shall I arrange a taxi for you?), they are offering to call the company, give them your location, and ensure the driver arrives at the right time. It encompasses the entire service of making the arrangement. Because it is a Suru-verb, it is very easy to conjugate into formal (手配します), humble (手配いたします), or casual (手配する) forms, making it a staple of the Japanese lexicon for anyone operating in a B1 level or higher environment.

Using 手配する (tehai suru) correctly requires understanding its role as a transitive verb. The basic grammatical structure is [Object] を手配する. The object is typically a service, a physical item that needs to be procured, or a person who needs to be assigned to a task. It is important to note that you are the agent performing the arrangement. For example, if you are organizing a party, you would 'tehai' the food, the venue, and the music. Each of these items involves contacting a third party and securing their services.

会議室の手配はもう済みましたか。(Have the arrangements for the meeting room been completed?)

In the sentence above, tehai is used as a noun followed by the particle wa. This is very common in office settings where 'the arrangement' is a specific task on a checklist. You can also use it in the passive voice when the arrangement was made by someone else: 手配されている (tehai sarete iru - has been arranged). This is useful when checking the status of an order. For instance, '商品はすでに手配されています' means 'The goods have already been arranged (for shipping).'

The 'Wanted' Nuance: When used with a person as the object, especially in a crime context, it means 'to put on the wanted list.' Example: 警察は犯人を手配した (The police put the criminal on the wanted list).

Another common usage pattern involves the causative form 手配させる (tehai saseru), meaning 'to make someone else arrange something.' In a managerial position, you might say, '部下にホテルを手配させた' (I had my subordinate arrange the hotel). This emphasizes the delegation of the logistical task. Conversely, if you are asking for a favor, you might use the potential form 手配できる (tehai dekiru): '明日までに車を手配できますか？' (Can you arrange a car by tomorrow?). This is a standard way to inquire about the feasibility of logistics in Japanese business communications. It covers the 'can' and the 'how' of the arrangement process.

You will encounter 手配する in several distinct 'scenes' of Japanese life. The most frequent is the professional office environment. Whether it's an email from a secretary or a verbal update from a project manager, the word is ubiquitous. It appears in internal systems for resource management, such as '備品手配システム' (Equipment Arrangement System). If you are working in Japan, you will likely spend a significant portion of your day 'tehai-ing' things—from lunch boxes (bentō) for a meeting to specialized technicians for a repair job.

至急、代わりのスタッフを手配してください。(Please arrange for a replacement staff member immediately.)

The second major scene is the travel and hospitality industry. When you call a hotel front desk to ask for a taxi, or when a travel agent is putting together a package for you, this word is the standard. It sounds more professional and encompassing than 'yoyaku' (reservation). While a 'yoyaku' is just the booking itself, 'tehai' implies the agent is doing the work of finding the best option and securing it for you. You might see signs or brochures saying '航空券の手配承ります' (We accept arrangements for airline tickets).

News and Media: In Japanese news broadcasts, 'tehai' is frequently heard in the context of criminal investigations. You will hear the phrase '全国に指名手配されました' (A nationwide wanted circular has been issued).

Finally, you will hear it in logistics and e-commerce. When you order something online, the backend process is often described as '発送手配' (hassō tehai - arrangement for shipping). When you receive an email saying '発送の手配が完了しました' (Arrangements for shipping have been completed), it means your package is ready to be picked up by the courier. In this sense, it bridges the gap between 'ordering' and 'shipping.' It represents the administrative and physical preparation required to get a product moving. Understanding this word helps you navigate the status updates of your Amazon Japan or Rakuten orders with much more clarity.

One of the most common mistakes learners make with 手配する is confusing it with 準備する (junbi suru) or 用意する (yoi suru). While all three relate to preparation, they are not interchangeable. Junbi suru is a broad term for getting ready (like getting ready for school). Yoi suru often refers to preparing physical objects that are already on hand (like setting the table). Tehai suru specifically implies reaching out to external sources or coordinating complex logistics. You wouldn't say 'tehai suru' for brushing your teeth or packing your own bag; those are 'junbi.'

Mistake: Overusing it for personal habits: Incorrect: 明日の学校の手配をする (I will arrange tomorrow's school). Correct: 明日の学校の準備をする (I will prepare for school tomorrow).

Wrong: 夕食の手配をしました (when you just cooked it yourself). Right: 夕食の用意をしました。

Another mistake is using tehai suru when you mean a simple reservation (yoyaku). While tehai suru includes the act of making a reservation, it is a much 'heavier' word. If you just booked a table for two at a local ramen shop, 'yoyaku' is sufficient. If you use 'tehai,' it sounds like you've gone through a formal process, perhaps involving a concierge or a complex set of requirements. Using 'tehai' for small, simple tasks can sound overly dramatic or unnaturally formal.

Lastly, learners often forget that tehai is a noun that needs suru to become a verb. In casual speech, people sometimes drop particles, but 'Tehai shita?' (Did you arrange it?) is much more common than just saying 'Tehai?'. Also, ensure you don't confuse it with shihai (control/domination), which sounds similar but has a completely different meaning. Mistaking 'arrangement' for 'domination' could lead to some very confusing business meetings!

To truly master 手配する, you must see how it sits among its synonyms. Japanese has a rich vocabulary for 'preparation,' and choosing the right one depends on the context and the 'distance' of the thing being prepared. Here is a breakdown of the most common alternatives:

準備する (Junbi suru): General preparation. It covers everything from mental readiness to physical packing. It is the most common and versatile word.
用意する (Yoi suru): Specifically refers to getting things ready that are needed immediately. Think 'setting the table' or 'having your ID ready at the gate.'
予約する (Yoyaku suru): To reserve or book. This is limited to securing a spot or an item for future use (hotels, restaurants, books).

Comparison:
1. 準備: Getting ready for the trip overall.
2. 手配: Organizing the flights and hotels specifically via a process.

Another interesting alternative is 段取り (dandori). This refers to the 'plan' or 'program' of how things will proceed. While tehai is about securing the resources, dandori is about the workflow. For example, 'Dandori o tsukeru' means to set up the sequence of events. In a complex project, you first do the dandori (planning), then the tehai (arranging the parts/people), and finally the junbi (final prep).

In formal writing, you might also see 調達する (chōtatsu suru), which means 'to procure.' This is used specifically for supplies or funds, especially in a military or large-scale manufacturing context. If you are 'arranging' 1,000 tons of steel, chōtatsu is the word. If you are 'arranging' a lunch for 5 people, tehai is much more appropriate. Choosing between these words shows your level of fluency and your understanding of Japanese social and professional hierarchies.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The 'wanted list' meaning comes from the historical practice of distributing hand-drawn pictures of criminals to different regions.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /teɪhaɪ suːruː/

US /teɪhaɪ suːruː/

Flat (Heiban accent).

Rhymes With

Ai (eye) Kai (world) Sai (again) Tai (body) Mai (every) Dai (big) Gai (outside) Zai (wealth)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'hai' like 'hay' instead of 'high'.
Putting too much stress on the first syllable.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji are common, but the 'wanted' vs 'arrange' meanings require context.

Writing 3/5

Both kanji are standard but require practice to write neatly.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce and use as a suru-verb.

Listening 3/5

Common in business and news, so recognition is key.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

準備する (junbi suru) 予約する (yoyaku suru) 手 (te) 配る (kubaru)

Learn Next

調達する (chōtatsu suru) 段取り (dandori) 調整する (chōsei suru)

Advanced

指名手配 (shimei tehai) 兵站 (heitan) 差配する (sahai suru)

Grammar to Know

Suru-Verbs

手配 + する = To arrange.

Passive Voice (~sareru)

ホテルが手配された。 (The hotel was arranged.)

Causative Voice (~saseru)

部下に手配させる。 (Make the subordinate arrange it.)

Te-oku (Preparation)

手配しておく。 (Arrange it in advance.)

Te-itadaku (Humble Request)

手配していただく。 (To have someone arrange it for me.)

Examples by Level

タクシーを手配します。

I will arrange a taxi.

Object + を + 手配します (polite present).

ホテルを手配しました。

I arranged the hotel.

Past tense: 手配しました。

チケットを手配してください。

Please arrange the tickets.

Te-form + ください (request).

車を手配しましょうか？

Shall I arrange a car?

~mashou ka (offering help).

お弁当を手配する。

To arrange lunch boxes.

Dictionary form (casual).

会議室を手配した。

I arranged the meeting room.

Casual past tense.

バスを手配してください。

Please arrange a bus.

Polite request for logistics.

飲み物を手配します。

I will arrange the drinks.

Simple future/present action.

旅行のホテルを早く手配してください。

Please arrange the hotel for the trip quickly.

Adverb 'hayaku' (quickly) modifying the verb.

友達が車を手配してくれました。

My friend arranged a car for me.

~te kureru (doing a favor for the speaker).

明日のパーティーのピザを手配する。

I'll arrange the pizza for tomorrow's party.

Focus on the object of arrangement.

チケットを手配するのは大変です。

Arranging tickets is difficult.

~no wa (nominalizing the verb phrase).

もう新幹線を手配しましたか。

Have you already arranged the Shinkansen?

'Mou' indicating completion.

スタッフがタクシーを手配しています。

The staff is currently arranging a taxi.

~te iru (present continuous).

航空券の手配をお願いします。

Please arrange the airline tickets.

Noun form 'tehai' + o-negai shimasu.

自分でホテルを手配できます。

I can arrange the hotel by myself.

Potential form 'tehai dekiru'.

出張に必要な資料を手配しておきました。

I have arranged the necessary documents for the business trip in advance.

~te oku (doing something in advance).

急いで代わりの人を手配しなければなりません。

We must arrange for a replacement person immediately.

~nakereba narimasen (obligation).

イベントの会場を手配するのに時間がかかった。

It took time to arrange the venue for the event.

~no ni (purpose/context for taking time).

警察は犯人を全国に手配しました。

The police put the suspect on the nationwide wanted list.

Specific 'wanted' context for people.

予算に合わせて宿泊先を手配する。

To arrange accommodation according to the budget.

~ni awasete (in accordance with).

業者がお弁当の手配を済ませた。

The vendor has finished the arrangements for the lunch boxes.

Noun form 'tehai' as a completed task.

至急、トラックを手配してください。

Please arrange a truck immediately.

'Shikyū' (urgent) adverbial usage.

海外旅行の手配はすべて旅行会社に任せた。

I left all the arrangements for the overseas trip to the travel agency.

'Makaseru' (to entrust) used with 'tehai'.

不測の事態に備えて、予備の機材を手配しておくべきだ。

We should arrange spare equipment in preparation for unforeseen circumstances.

~beki da (should/ought to).

その件については、すでに担当者が手配を進めております。

Regarding that matter, the person in charge is already proceeding with the arrangements.

Humble form 'orimasu' and 'susumeru' (to proceed).

彼は指名手配されているので、すぐに見つかるだろう。

Since he is on the wanted list, he will likely be found soon.

Passive form 'tehai sarete iru'.

通訳の手配が遅れたため、会議の開始が遅れた。

Because the arrangement of the interpreter was delayed, the start of the meeting was delayed.

Cause and effect with 'tame' (because).

至急、代わりの輸送手段を手配するよう指示した。

I instructed them to arrange an alternative means of transport immediately.

~yō shiji shita (instructed to...).

資材の手配が滞っており、工期が延びそうだ。

The arrangement of materials is stagnant, so the construction period is likely to be extended.

'Todokōru' (to be stagnant/delayed).

お客様のご要望に合わせて、特別なツアーを手配いたしました。

We have arranged a special tour according to the customer's request.

Humble 'itashimashita'.

配送の手配が完了次第、メールでご連絡します。

As soon as the shipping arrangements are complete, we will contact you by email.

~shidai (as soon as).

物流網の再編に伴い、配送ルートの再手配が必要となった。

With the reorganization of the logistics network, it became necessary to re-arrange the delivery routes.

'Sai-tehai' (re-arrangement) compound noun.

警察当局は、重要参考人として彼の行方を手配している。

Police authorities are tracking his whereabouts as a person of interest.

Formal investigative terminology.

予算の配分を見直し、人員の適正な手配を行う。

We will review the budget allocation and perform the appropriate arrangement of personnel.

'Tekisei-na' (appropriate) modifying 'tehai'.

海外進出に際して、現地の法律顧問を手配した。

Upon expanding overseas, we arranged for local legal counsel.

'~ni saishite' (upon/at the time of).

資材の調達から配送の手配までを一貫して請け負う。

We undertake everything from the procurement of materials to the arrangement of delivery.

'Ikkan shite' (consistently/all the way through).

緊急事態宣言下での物資の手配には、多大な労力を要した。

Arranging supplies under a state of emergency required a great deal of effort.

'Yōshita' (required) in a formal context.

システムトラブルにより、予約の手配が二重になってしまった。

Due to a system trouble, the booking arrangements were duplicated.

'Nijū ni naru' (to become double/duplicated).

関係各所への手配が滞りなく進んでいることを確認した。

I confirmed that the arrangements with all relevant parties are proceeding without a hitch.

'Todokōri naku' (without delay/smoothly).

当該容疑者の国際手配が、ICPOを通じて要請された。

An international wanted notice for the suspect in question was requested through ICPO.

Highly formal legal/police terminology.

有事の際の兵站手配は、国家の存亡に関わる極めて重要な課題である。

Logistical arrangements during a crisis are a critically important issue concerning the survival of the nation.

'Heitan' (logistics/military) + 'tehai'.

サプライチェーンの脆弱性を克服すべく、代替部品の即時手配体制を構築した。

To overcome supply chain vulnerabilities, we established a system for the immediate arrangement of alternative parts.

'~subeku' (in order to) and complex business compounds.

行政手続きの煩雑さが、迅速な支援物資の手配を阻害している。

The complexity of administrative procedures is hindering the swift arrangement of relief supplies.

'Sogai shite iru' (to hinder/obstruct).

多国籍企業におけるグローバルな人材手配の最適化を図る。

We aim to optimize global human resource arrangements in multinational corporations.

'Saitekika o hakaru' (aim for optimization).

資金手配の目処が立ったことで、プロジェクトは再開の運びとなった。

With the prospect of securing funds established, the project is set to resume.

'Medo ga tatsu' (to have a prospect).

捜査当局による緻密な網の目的は、被疑者の逃走経路を封じる手配にある。

The purpose of the investigative authorities' elaborate net lies in the arrangement to block the suspect's escape route.

Abstract use of 'tehai' in a complex sentence.

契約条項に基づき、損害賠償の手配を速やかに進める必要がある。

Based on the contract clauses, it is necessary to promptly proceed with arrangements for damage compensation.

'Songai baishō' (damage compensation) context.

Common Collocations

ホテルを手配する

タクシーを手配する

チケットを手配する

弁当を手配する

指名手配する

人員を手配する

代わりのスタッフを手配する

輸送を手配する

資金を手配する

会場を手配する

Common Phrases

手配が済む

— Arrangements are finished.

会場の手配が済みました。

手配を急ぐ

— To hurry the arrangements.

チケットの手配を急いでください。

手配を任せる

— To leave the arrangements to someone.

彼にホテルの手配を任せた。

手配漏れ

— An omission in arrangements.

手配漏れがないか確認する。

発送手配

— Arrangement for shipping.

発送手配が完了しました。

緊急手配

— Emergency arrangement.

緊急手配で医師を呼ぶ。

手配済み

— Already arranged.

その件は手配済みです。

手配書

— Arrangement document (or wanted poster).

手配書を確認してください。

手配ミス

— Mistake in arrangements.

手配ミスで部屋がなかった。

一括手配

— Batch arrangement (all at once).

備品を一括手配する。

Often Confused With

手配する vs 準備する (junbi suru)

Junbi is general preparation; Tehai is specific logistical arrangement.

手配する vs 用意する (yoi suru)

Yoi is getting things ready on the spot; Tehai is securing them from elsewhere.

手配する vs 予約する (yoyaku suru)

Yoyaku is just the booking; Tehai is the whole process of arranging it.

Idioms & Expressions

"手配がつく"

— To be able to make arrangements.

ようやく資金の手配がついた。

Neutral

"指名手配を受ける"

— To be put on the wanted list.

彼は警察から指名手配を受けた。

Formal

"手配を回す"

— To send out instructions for arrangements.

各部署に手配を回した。

Business

"手配が狂う"

— Arrangements go wrong/are disrupted.

天候で手配が狂ってしまった。

Neutral

"万全の手配"

— Perfect/thorough arrangements.

万全の手配で客を迎える。

Formal

"手配に抜かりはない"

— No oversight in the arrangements.

準備の手配に抜かりはない。

Formal

"手配を整える"

— To complete the setup of arrangements.

受け入れの手配を整える。

Neutral

"迅速な手配"

— Swift arrangement.

迅速な手配に感謝します。

Formal

"手配の手を緩めない"

— To not relax the search/arrangement efforts.

警察は手配の手を緩めない。

Formal

"手配の網を広げる"

— To broaden the search/arrangement net.

捜査の網を手配の網を広げる。

Formal

Easily Confused

手配する vs 支配する (shihai suru)

Sounds similar.

Shihai means to dominate or control, while Tehai means to arrange.

彼は国を支配した (He dominated the country).

手配する vs 分配する (bunpai suru)

Shares the 'hai' kanji.

Bunpai means to distribute/allocate portions, Tehai is to arrange.

利益を分配する (Distribute profits).

手配する vs 心配する (shinpai suru)

Shares the 'pai/hai' sound.

Shinpai means to worry.

家族を心配する (Worry about family).

手配する vs 配達する (haitatsu suru)

Shares the 'hai' kanji and relates to logistics.

Haitatsu is the physical delivery, Tehai is the arrangement for it.

手紙を配達する (Deliver a letter).

手配する vs 気配 (kehai)

Shares the 'hai' kanji.

Kehai means an indication or sign of something.

秋の気配 (A sign of autumn).

Sentence Patterns

[Object] を手配します。

タクシーを手配します。

[Object] を手配しておきます。

ホテルを手配しておきます。

[Object] の手配が済みました。

チケットの手配が済みました。

[Object] を手配させていただきます。

私が会場を手配させていただきます。

[Object] が手配されています。

すでに車が手配されています。

[Object] の手配が滞っております。

資材の手配が滞っております。

[Object] を即座に手配する。

代わりの人員を即座に手配する。

[Object] の手配体制を構築する。

迅速な物資の手配体制を構築する。

Word Family

Nouns

手配 (tehai - arrangement)

指名手配 (shimei tehai - wanted list)

手配師 (tehaishi - broker/agent)

Verbs

手配する (tehai suru - to arrange)

準備 (junbi)

用意 (yoi)

段取り (dandori)

予約 (yoyaku)

調達 (chōtatsu)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in business and news.

Common Mistakes

Using 'tehai suru' for personal habits like brushing teeth. → 準備する (junbi suru)
Tehai implies logistical coordination, not simple personal routines.
Confusing 'tehai' with 'shihai' (control). → 手配 (tehai)
They sound similar but 'shihai' is about power/domination.
Using 'tehai' for scheduling a meeting time. → 調整する (chōsei suru)
Tehai is for resources/services; chōsei is for time/schedules.
Saying 'Tanaka-san o tehai shita' to mean you called him. → 田中さんに連絡した (Renraku shita)
Tehai-ing a person usually means putting them on a wanted list or assigning them as a resource.
Forgeting the 'suru' in casual speech. → 手配した？ (Tehai shita?)
Tehai is a noun; it needs 'suru' to function as a verb.

Tips

Email Etiquette

When confirming a booking for a client, write 'ご宿泊の手配が完了いたしました' to sound professional and reliable.

At the Hotel

If you need a taxi for the airport tomorrow, ask: '明日の朝、タクシーを手配していただけますか？'

Noun Usage

Remember that 'tehai' can be a noun. 'Tehai ga ii' means someone is good at organizing things.

Police Context

If you see '指名手配' on a poster in a Japanese train station, those are people the police are looking for.

Hand + Arrange

The kanji 手 (hand) is a great reminder that this verb involves 'handling' the details of an arrangement.

Tehai vs Junbi

Use 'tehai' for things you get from others (hotels, cars) and 'junbi' for things you do yourself (studying, packing).

Online Shopping

If your order status says '手配中' (tehai-chū), it means they are currently securing the items for you.

News Keywords

'Tehai' is a high-frequency word in crime news. Recognizing it helps you understand reports about suspects.

Offering Help

Offer to help a colleague by saying '私が手配しましょうか？' (Shall I arrange it?).

Professionalism

Being 'tehai-ga-hayai' (fast at arranging) is a highly valued trait in Japanese corporate culture.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a hand (手) distributing (配) tickets to a group of people. You are 'handling' the 'distribution' of the trip!

Visual Association

A person with four hands, each holding a phone, a hotel key, a taxi sign, and a plane ticket.

Word Web

Hotel Taxi Tickets Police Business Logistics Suru-verb Preparation

Challenge

Try to arrange a fake trip in Japanese using 'tehai suru' for every item (hotel, car, food).

Word Origin

From the kanji 手 (hand) and 配 (distribute/arrange).

Original meaning: To physically handle and distribute tasks or resources.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Cultural Context

None, but be careful using it for people (could imply they are criminals).

English speakers often just say 'book' or 'organize,' but 'tehai' specifically highlights the effort of coordination.

Detective Conan often uses 'shimei tehai' for criminals. Japanese corporate dramas like 'Hanzawa Naoki' use it for logistics.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Business Trip

ホテルを手配する
新幹線を手配する
航空券の手配

Events

会場を手配する
弁当を手配する
マイクの手配

Police/Crime

指名手配
全国手配
緊急手配

Logistics

トラックを手配する
発送手配
輸送の手配

Daily Life

タクシーを手配する
修理の手配
クリーニングの手配

Conversation Starters

"来週の会議の部屋、もう手配しましたか？ (Did you arrange the room for next week's meeting?)"

"出張のホテル、どこか手配しておきましょうか？ (Shall I arrange a hotel for your trip somewhere?)"

"急ぎでタクシーを手配してもらえますか？ (Could you arrange a taxi for me urgently?)"

"イベントのスタッフの手配はどうなっていますか？ (What is the status of the staff arrangements for the event?)"

"チケットの手配、自分でするのは難しいですか？ (Is it hard to arrange the tickets by yourself?)"

Journal Prompts

今日は旅行のために色々な準備と手配をした。 (Today I did various preparations and arrangements for the trip.)

仕事で急なスタッフの手配が必要になり、大変だった。 (I had to arrange staff suddenly at work, and it was hard.)

将来、海外旅行に行くなら、どんな手配が必要だろうか。 (If I go on an overseas trip in the future, what kind of arrangements will be necessary?)

警察のドラマを見て、指名手配という言葉を覚えた。 (I watched a police drama and learned the word 'shimei tehai'.)

誰かのために何かを手配して、感謝されたことはありますか？ (Have you ever arranged something for someone and been thanked?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Usually no. 'Yoi suru' or 'tsukuru' is better. 'Tehai suru' would imply you are calling a catering service or arranging a chef to come over.

The word itself is neutral, but it is very common in polite business Japanese when combined with 'shimasu' or 'itashimasu.'

'Yoyaku' is just 'making a reservation.' 'Tehai' is 'arranging.' If you arrange a whole tour, that's 'tehai.'

Yes, in two ways: 1. Arranging a staff member for a job. 2. Putting a criminal on a wanted list. Use with caution!

It means 'wanted by name.' It's when the police officially name a suspect and ask for public help to find them.

'Mou tehai shimashita' or 'Tehai-zumi desu.'

Yes, especially when planning trips or events with friends, but 'yoyaku' or 'junbi' are more common for small things.

Not exactly, but 'hassō tehai' means arranging the shipment. It's the step before the package actually leaves.

No, for schedules, use 'chōsei suru' (to adjust/coordinate).

Historically, a broker who arranged day laborers. It can sometimes have a slightly negative or 'shady' connotation depending on the industry.