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B1 noun #3,000 most common 6 min read

手配

tehai
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 手配 in 30 Seconds
Explanation 手配 in your Level:
At the A1 level, you can think of '手配 (tehai)' as a special word for 'booking' or 'ordering' something important. Imagine you want to take a taxi or stay at a hotel. You use this word when you ask someone to help you get those things. It is a bit more formal than just saying 'buy' or 'get.' For example, 'Taxi o tehai shimasu' means 'I will arrange a taxi.' It is a very useful word when you are traveling in Japan and need help from a hotel clerk.
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At the A2 level, '手配 (tehai)' is used when you are talking about simple plans that involve other people or services. You might use it when talking about your job, like 'arranging a meeting room' (kaigishitsu no tehai). It's different from 'junbi' (preparation) because 'tehai' usually means you are contacting a company or a person to get something ready for you. If you are planning a small party, you 'tehai' the food by calling a restaurant. It shows you are taking action to make things happen.
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At the B1 level, you should understand '手配 (tehai)' as 'logistical coordination.' This is a key word for business and travel. It implies a professional responsibility to ensure that all necessary components of a plan are in place. You will see it in emails, like 'Hoteru no tehai wa sumimashita ka?' (Have the hotel arrangements been completed?). It also introduces the concept of police work—'shimei tehai' (wanted list). You should be able to distinguish it from 'junbi' (general prep) and 'youi' (getting things ready to use).
At the B2 level, '手配 (tehai)' becomes a tool for discussing complex organizational tasks. You use it to describe the procurement of resources, the allocation of staff, and the management of supply chains. In this context, it often appears in the passive voice or as part of compound nouns. You should also be familiar with its legal nuances, such as 'sousa tehai' (investigative search). At this level, you understand that 'tehai' involves not just the act of booking, but the accountability for the logistics being correct and timely.
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At the C1 level, you recognize '手配 (tehai)' as a nuanced term for strategic resource management. It is used in high-level business discussions regarding the 'tehai' of capital, specialized labor, or emergency response measures. You can use it metaphorically or in very specific legal contexts. You understand the historical weight of the word and its role in administrative law. You are also able to use it in sophisticated sentences to describe the 'orchestration' of multifaceted projects where multiple external vendors must be synchronized.
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At the C2 level, your mastery of '手配 (tehai)' includes an instinctive grasp of its register and collocations across all domains. You can use it to discuss the nuances of criminal procedure, the intricacies of international logistics, and the subtle differences between 'tehai,' 'shidandori,' and 'fuseki.' You understand how the word functions in classical literature versus modern legal statutes. You can use it to describe the 'deployment' of resources in a way that sounds authoritative and native-like, recognizing the precise moment when 'tehai' is the only word that fits the gravity of the coordination required.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

手配 in 30 Seconds

  • Tehai refers to the active logistical coordination of services, bookings, and resources required to execute a plan effectively in business or travel contexts.
  • In a legal or law enforcement context, it specifically refers to putting a suspect on a wanted list or conducting a formal search (shimei tehai).
  • It differs from 'junbi' (general preparation) by focusing on the 'securing' and 'ordering' of external resources rather than just internal readiness.
  • Commonly used as a suru-verb (tehai suru) for tasks like booking taxis, hotels, or ordering materials, and is essential for professional communication.

The Japanese word 手配 (Tehai) is a versatile noun and suru-verb that primarily translates to 'arrangements,' 'preparations,' or 'logistics.' At its core, it refers to the proactive process of organizing resources, people, or services to ensure a specific outcome or event occurs smoothly. Unlike general preparation (準備 - junbi), tehai specifically implies reaching out to external parties, securing bookings, or coordinating moving parts. It is the 'action' phase of logistics where you confirm that the taxi is coming, the hotel room is booked, or the materials are ordered.

Logistical Arrangement
Securing a service like a rental car, a flight, or a meeting room. It involves the 'booking' aspect.
Police Search
In a legal context, it refers to the act of putting someone on a wanted list or conducting a search for a suspect.
Resource Allocation
Distributing manpower or materials to where they are needed most in a project.

出張のために、ホテルの手配を済ませました。
(I have finished making the arrangements for the hotel for my business trip.)

In a broader sense, the word is composed of two kanji: 手 (hand) and 配 (distribute/arrange). This suggests the physical or active 'handling' of distribution. In business, it is an essential term. If a manager asks, '手配はできているか？' (Are the arrangements made?), they aren't asking if you've thought about it; they are asking if the contracts are signed or the orders are placed. In the context of law enforcement, 指名手配 (shimei tehai) is the standard term for a 'wanted' person, where the police 'arrange' for the capture of a specific individual.

警察は犯人を指名手配した。
(The police put the suspect on the wanted list.)

Furthermore, the word carries a sense of responsibility. When you take charge of tehai, you are the point of contact for any failures in that specific logistics chain. It is common to see it used with verbs like 済ませる (to finish), 急ぐ (to hurry), or 依頼する (to request). Whether it's a simple taxi booking or a complex international shipping route, tehai covers the entire spectrum of making things happen through coordination.

Using 手配 (Tehai) correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility. It functions as a noun (手配) and as a suru-verb (手配する). In daily conversation, it is most frequently paired with the particle 'を' to indicate what is being arranged. For example, 'タクシーを手配する' (to arrange a taxi). It is also very common in the passive form '手配されている' when referring to someone being wanted by the police or a service that has already been organized.

[Object] + を手配する
The standard active form. Used for booking hotels, flights, or ordering parts.
[Noun] + の手配
The noun form. Often used as '～の手配がつく' (arrangements are settled) or '～の手配を整える' (to get arrangements in order).

至急、代わりの人員を手配してください。
(Please arrange for replacement personnel immediately.)

In professional settings, tehai is often used when discussing timelines. Phrases like '手配が遅れる' (arrangements are delayed) or '手配が間に合わない' (arrangements won't be made in time) are common in project management. It's important to note that tehai usually involves a third party. You don't 'tehai' your own breakfast (that's 準備), but you 'tehai' a catering service for a lunch meeting.

チケットの手配はもうお済みですか？
(Have you already finished the arrangements for the tickets?)

You will encounter 手配 (Tehai) in three primary environments: the corporate office, the travel industry, and the news. In an office, it’s the bread and butter of administrative assistants and project managers. You'll hear it during morning meetings when discussing logistics for upcoming events or client visits. In the travel industry, it’s used by agents to describe the booking of tours, transport, and accommodation.

航空券の手配が完了しました。
(The arrangement of the flight tickets is complete.)

The third context, which is quite different, is crime reporting. If you watch Japanese news, you will frequently hear the term 指名手配 (shimei tehai). This refers to a 'wanted' poster or a formal police search for a specific individual. You might see posters at train stations with the heading '指名手配中' (Currently Wanted). This dual nature of the word—from mundane office tasks to high-stakes criminal investigations—makes it a unique part of the Japanese lexicon.

その男は全国に指名手配されている。
(That man is on the nationwide wanted list.)

A common mistake for learners is confusing 手配 (Tehai) with 準備 (Junbi) or 用意 (Youi). While all three relate to preparation, they are not interchangeable. Junbi is the most general term, covering everything from mental preparation to physical setup. Youi often implies having things ready 'on the spot' or 'available for use.' Tehai, however, specifically focuses on the logistical act of procurement or coordination.

Mistake: Using Tehai for mental prep
Incorrect: 心の手配をする (Kokoro no tehai o suru). Correct: 心の準備をする (Kokoro no junbi o suru).
Mistake: Using Tehai for simple table setting
Incorrect: 箸を手配する (Hashi o tehai suru - unless you are ordering 1000 chopsticks for a factory). Correct: 箸を用意する (Hashi o youi suru).

× 明日の心の手配をします。
○ 明日の心の準備をします。
(I will prepare myself mentally for tomorrow.)

Another nuance is the 'external' nature of tehai. If you are doing something yourself, it's usually junbi. If you are calling someone else to do it or to provide a service, it's tehai. Confusing these can make your Japanese sound overly formal or slightly 'off' in social situations. For example, telling a friend you 'tehai-ed' the snacks for a movie night sounds like you hired a professional catering company rather than just buying them at the store.

To master 手配 (Tehai), it helps to compare it with its synonyms. Each has a specific 'flavor' of preparation. 準備 (Junbi) is the umbrella term. 用意 (Youi) is about readiness. 調整 (Chousei) is about 'adjustment' or 'coordination' between conflicting schedules. 段取り (Dandori) refers to the 'step-by-step' plan or the 'setup' of a process.

準備 (Junbi)
General preparation. 'I prepared for the exam.'
用意 (Youi)
Immediate readiness. 'Dinner is ready (用意ができた).'
調整 (Chousei)
Fine-tuning or coordinating schedules. 'I adjusted the meeting time.'
確保 (Kakuho)
Securing or reserving. 'I secured a seat.'

会議室の手配と、スケジュールの調整をお願いします。
(Please arrange the meeting room and coordinate the schedules.)

While tehai and kakuho (securing) are close, tehai includes the whole process of making the arrangement, whereas kakuho focuses solely on the result of having secured the resource. In a business workflow, you first do the tehai (arrangement) to ensure the kakuho (securing) of the materials.

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Grammar to Know

～を済ませる (To finish doing)

～ておく (To do in advance)

～てもらう (To have someone do something)

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Examples by Level

1

タクシーを手配します。

I will arrange a taxi.

Object + を + 手配します

2

ホテルの手配をお願いします。

Please arrange the hotel.

Noun + の + 手配

3

チケットの手配ができました。

The ticket arrangements are done.

手配 + が + できました

4

車を手配しましょうか？

Shall I arrange a car?

～ましょうか (Offering help)

5

お弁当を手配しました。

I arranged the lunch boxes.

Past tense of 手配する

6

バスの手配はまだです。

The bus arrangement is not yet done.

～はまだです (Not yet)

7

誰が手配しますか？

Who will make the arrangements?

Question word 誰 (Who)

8

すぐに手配してください。

Please arrange it immediately.

～てください (Request)

1

会議室の手配を忘れました。

I forgot to arrange the meeting room.

～を忘れました (Forgot to...)

2

飛行機の手配を済ませました。

I have finished the flight arrangements.

～を済ませました (Finished doing...)

3

レストランの手配が必要です。

Arranging a restaurant is necessary.

～が必要です (Need...)

4

資料の手配を頼みます。

I'll ask you to arrange the materials.

～を頼みます (To request/ask)

5

手配が遅れてすみません。

Sorry for the delay in arrangements.

～てすみません (Apology for...)

6

自分で手配できますか？

Can you make the arrangements yourself?

～できますか (Can you...)

7

旅行の手配は楽しいです。

Arranging a trip is fun.

～は楽しいです (Is fun)

8

スタッフの手配をしています。

I am currently arranging the staff.

～ています (Continuous action)

1

至急、代替品の手配をお願いします。

Please arrange for a replacement product immediately.

至急 (Urgent) + 手配

2

イベントの手配が順調に進んでいます。

The event arrangements are progressing smoothly.

順調に進む (Progress smoothly)

3

手配がつくまで、ここで待ってください。

Please wait here until the arrangements are settled.

手配がつく (Arrangements are made)

4

予算内で手配するのは難しいです。

It is difficult to make arrangements within the budget.

～のは難しい (It is difficult to...)

5

警察が犯人を指名手配しました。

The police put the criminal on the wanted list.

指名手配 (Wanted by name)

6

手配ミスで、車が来ませんでした。

Due to an arrangement error, the car didn't come.

手配ミス (Arrangement mistake)

7

早めに手配しておいたほうがいいですよ。

It's better to arrange it in advance.

～ておいたほうがいい (Had better do in advance)

8

資材の手配を業者に依頼しました。

I requested the contractor to arrange the materials.

～に依頼する (Request to someone)

1

物流の手配を抜本的に見直す必要がある。

It is necessary to fundamentally review the logistics arrangements.

抜本的に見直す (Fundamentally review)

2

彼は詐欺の疑いで全国に手配されている。

He is wanted nationwide on suspicion of fraud.

～の疑いで (On suspicion of...)

3

会場の手配から集客まで、全て一人でやった。

I did everything alone, from arranging the venue to attracting customers.

～から～まで (From... to...)

4

手配が漏れていたことが判明した。

It was discovered that an arrangement had been overlooked.

～が漏れる (To be omitted/overlooked)

5

緊急時の手配マニュアルを作成する。

Create an arrangement manual for emergencies.

緊急時 (In case of emergency)

6

人手の手配がつかず、工事が中断した。

The construction was suspended because manpower could not be arranged.

～がつかず (Could not be secured)

7

手配の不備を補填するために奔走した。

I scrambled to make up for the deficiencies in the arrangements.

不備を補填する (Compensate for flaws)

8

宿泊先の手配は、現地の代理店に任せよう。

Let's leave the accommodation arrangements to the local agency.

～に任せる (Leave it to...)

1

捜査当局は、重要参考人を国際手配した。

Investigative authorities put a key person of interest on the international wanted list.

国際手配 (International wanted list)

2

部材の手配が滞ると、ライン全体が止まってしまう。

If the arrangement of parts is delayed, the entire production line will stop.

滞る (To be delayed/stagnate)

3

周到な手配のおかげで、混乱は最小限に抑えられた。

Thanks to meticulous arrangements, the confusion was kept to a minimum.

周到な (Meticulous/Thorough)

4

資金手配の目処が立ち、プロジェクトが再開された。

With the prospect of securing funds settled, the project was resumed.

目処が立つ (To have prospects/be in sight)

5

手配の段階でミスがあれば、後の工程に響く。

If there is a mistake at the arrangement stage, it will affect subsequent processes.

～に響く (To affect/impact)

6

彼は手配師として、日雇い労働者を現場に送っている。

As a labor broker, he sends day laborers to the sites.

手配師 (Labor broker/agent)

7

迅速な手配が、企業の危機管理能力を左右する。

Rapid arrangements determine a company's crisis management capability.

～を左右する (To influence/determine)

8

その手配は、法的な手続きを逸脱していた。

That arrangement deviated from legal procedures.

～を逸脱する (To deviate from)

1

国家的な行事における警備手配は、寸分の狂いも許されない。

Security arrangements for national events allow for not even a moment's error.

寸分の狂いも許されない (No error permitted)

2

物流網の再編に伴い、配送手配のアルゴリズムを刷新した。

Following the reorganization of the logistics network, the delivery arrangement algorithm was overhauled.

刷新する (To renovate/overhaul)

3

手配の妙により、限られた資源で最大の効果を上げた。

Through the skill of arrangement, maximum effect was achieved with limited resources.

～の妙 (The beauty/skill of...)

4

指名手配犯の足取りを追うため、広域的な手配が敷かれた。

To track the movements of the wanted criminal, a wide-area search was established.

手配が敷かれる (A search is deployed)

5

その工作員は、身元の手配を完璧に偽装していた。

The agent had perfectly disguised the arrangements for their identity.

偽装する (To disguise/camouflage)

6

手配の不手際が、外交問題にまで発展しかねない。

The mismanagement of arrangements could potentially escalate into a diplomatic issue.

～かねない (Might happen/danger of)

7

供給網の強靭化には、代替輸送手段の常時手配が不可欠だ。

To strengthen the supply chain, constant arrangement of alternative transport is essential.

強靭化 (Strengthening/Resilience)

8

彼は、裏社会での手配に精通している人物だ。

He is a person well-versed in the arrangements of the underworld.

～に精通している (To be well-versed in)

Synonyms

準備 段取り 調達 アレンジ

Common Collocations

タクシーを手配する
ホテルの手配
指名手配
手配を済ませる
手配がつく
人員の手配
至急手配する
手配ミス
国際手配
手配書

Common Phrases

手配をお願いします
手配が完了しました
手配を急ぐ
手配を整える
手配が漏れる
手配に追われる
手配を依頼する
手配が間に合う
手配を確認する
手配をキャンセルする

Often Confused With

手配 vs 準備 (Junbi)

Junbi is general prep; Tehai is logistical booking/ordering.

手配 vs 用意 (Youi)

Youi is having things ready on hand; Tehai is getting them from outside.

手配 vs 調整 (Chousei)

Chousei is adjusting/coordinating; Tehai is the actual act of securing.

Idioms & Expressions

"手配がつく (To be arranged/settled)"
"手配を回す (To spread the word/send out orders)"
"指名手配 (To be on the wanted list)"
"手配の手を緩めない (Not to slacken the search)"
"手配の網を広げる (To widen the search net)"
"手配を整える (To get everything ready)"
"手配を誤る (To mess up the arrangements)"
"手配に抜かりがない (No flaws in the arrangements)"
"手配を仰ぐ (To seek arrangements/instructions)"
"手配を講じる (To take measures for arrangements)"

Easily Confused

手配 vs

手配 vs

手配 vs

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] の手配をする

[Noun] を手配する

手配がつく

手配を済ませる

手配を依頼する

指名手配される

手配を急ぐ

手配が漏れる

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How to Use It

Police

Specific term for 'Wanted.'

Business

High frequency. Refers to bookings and logistics.

Daily Life

Used for services like taxis or catering.

Common Mistakes

Tips

Business Email Tip

Always use '手配いたしました' (tehai itashimashita) to confirm you've made bookings for a client.

Verb Pairing

Pair 'tehai' with 'sumaseru' (to finish) to sound more like a native speaker.

Police Context

Remember 'shimei tehai' as a set phrase for 'wanted by the police.'

Group Settings

In a group, the person who does the 'tehai' is often the one showing the most initiative.

Travel Agent

If a travel agent says 'tehai ga tsukimasen,' it means they couldn't find a booking for you.

Shipping

Use 'tehai' when discussing the dispatch of goods from a warehouse.

Avoid Overuse

Don't use it for things you do yourself without external help.

Koban Posters

Look at posters in 'Koban' (police boxes) to see 'tehai' in action.

Urgency

Add 'kyuugi' (urgent) or 'shikyuu' before 'tehai' for high-priority tasks.

Handy Arrangements

Think: 'My HANDS (手) are DISTRIBUTING (配) the tasks.'

Memorize It

Word Origin

Derived from the combination of 'Hand' (手) and 'Distribute/Arrange' (配).

Cultural Context

Anime often features 'Wanted' posters called 'Tehai-sho.'

Police 'tehai' is a public matter, with posters displayed in public spaces.

Mastering 'tehai' is essential for 'Omotenashi' (hospitality).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"出張の手配は終わりましたか？"

"おすすめのタクシー手配アプリはありますか？"

"イベントの会場手配、手伝いましょうか？"

"指名手配のポスターを見たことがありますか？"

"急ぎの手配が必要なものはありますか？"

Journal Prompts

今日、あなたが手配したことを書いてください。

旅行の手配で一番大変だったことは何ですか？

仕事で手配ミスをしたことがありますか？

もしイベントを主催するなら、何を手配しますか？

効率的に手配を済ませるためのコツは何ですか？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, that is 'junbi' or 'youi.' 'Tehai' would imply you are ordering coffee for a large group from a cafe.

It is standard in business but can be used in daily life for services. It's more formal than 'tanomu' (ask).

It means the police have 'arranged' for a specific person (shimei) to be searched for and arrested.

Yes, 'jinyuu no tehai' means arranging for staff or manpower.

A 'tehai-shi' is a person whose job is to arrange labor, often day laborers.

Yes, you can 'tehai' a server or a digital service.

You can say 'Watashi ga tehai shimasu.'

Often yes, as it involves ordering services, but the word itself focuses on the coordination.

There isn't a direct opposite, but 'houchi' (neglect) or 'chuushi' (cancellation) are often used in contrast.

It sounds a bit business-like. 'Resutoran no tehai' is okay, but it might sound like you're managing a project!

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