A2 Collocation Neutro

汚い手

kitanai te

Dirty hands

Phrase in 30 Seconds

Literally 'dirty hands,' this phrase is used metaphorically to describe dishonest, unfair, or corrupt methods.

  • Means: Dishonest or underhanded tactics used to achieve a goal.
  • Used in: Business, sports, or political contexts to describe cheating.
  • Don't confuse: Literal dirt on hands with metaphorical corruption.
Dirt + Hand = Unfair play

Explanation at your level:

This phrase means your hands are dirty with mud. You can also use it to say someone is cheating in a game.
In Japanese, 'kitanai te' literally means dirty hands. We use it metaphorically to describe people who use unfair or dishonest ways to get what they want. It is common in sports or work.
The phrase '{汚い|きたない}{手|て}' functions as a collocation for unethical behavior. While the literal sense refers to hygiene, the figurative sense is a powerful accusation of corruption or manipulation. It is frequently used in competitive environments where someone has bypassed rules to gain an advantage.
This idiom serves as an evocative metaphor for moral compromise. By labeling an action as '{汚い|きたない}{手|て}', the speaker highlights the 'stain' left on the perpetrator's reputation. It is a culturally loaded term that emphasizes the importance of transparency and fairness in Japanese social interactions, often used to condemn those who prioritize results over ethical conduct.
The collocation '{汚い|きたない}{手|て}' represents a classic instance of conceptual metaphor, where the physical domain of 'dirt' is mapped onto the abstract domain of 'dishonesty.' Linguistically, it functions as an accusatory predicate. Its usage is highly register-dependent; while the literal meaning is neutral, the figurative application carries a strong pejorative weight, signaling a breach of social contract.
From a cognitive linguistics perspective, '{汚い|きたない}{手|て}' exemplifies the 'immorality is filth' metaphor. This phrase is deeply embedded in the Japanese cultural ethos, where the concept of 'cleanliness' (kirei) is synonymous with moral rectitude. By invoking this phrase, a speaker is not merely describing a tactical choice but is making a moral judgment, positioning the subject as fundamentally 'soiled' by their lack of integrity. It is a potent tool for social policing in competitive contexts.

Significado

Hands that are soiled or unclean.

🌍

Contexto cultural

Emphasis on transparency.

💡

Context is key

Always check if you mean physical or metaphorical.

Significado

Hands that are soiled or unclean.

💡

Context is key

Always check if you mean physical or metaphorical.

Teste-se

Fill in the blank.

彼はいつも＿＿＿＿＿を使う。

✓ Correto! ✗ Quase. Resposta certa: 汚い手

The idiom is 'kitanai te' (dirty hands/tactics).

🎉 Pontuação: /1

Perguntas frequentes

1 perguntas

Yes, it is an accusation.

Frases relacionadas

🔄

{卑怯|ひきょう}な{手段|しゅだん}

synonym

Cowardly methods

Onde usar

⚽

Sports cheating

Player A: Did you see that? He used dirty tactics!

informal

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a person trying to wash their hands, but the 'mud' is actually their bad reputation.

Visual Association

A person in a suit shaking hands, but their hand is covered in black ink.

Story

Ken wanted to win the race. He tripped his friend. Everyone saw his 'dirty hands'. Now nobody trusts him.

Word Web

{不正|ふせい}{卑怯|ひきょう}{ずるい}{汚|きたな}い{手段|しゅだん}{裏|うら}

Desafio

Write three sentences using the phrase in different contexts.

In Other Languages

Spanish high

Jugar sucio

Spanish focuses on the 'play' aspect, Japanese on the 'hand' aspect.

French moderate

Coup bas

The imagery differs but the meaning is identical.

German high

Ein schmutziges Spiel

German focuses on the 'game', Japanese on the 'hand'.

Japanese n/a

{汚い|きたない}{手|て}

N/A

Arabic high

لعب قذر

Focuses on the act of playing.

Chinese moderate

手段卑鄙

Less reliance on the 'dirt' metaphor.

Korean high

더러운 수법

Very similar cultural usage.

Portuguese high

Jogo sujo

Focuses on the game.

Easily Confused

汚い手 vs {汚|きたな}い{仕事|しごと}

Sounds like dirty work.

Dirty work is a job, dirty hands is a method.

Perguntas frequentes (1)

Yes, it is an accusation.

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