手をつないで
te o tsunaide
In Japanese, "hold my hand" is 手をつないで (te o tsunaide).
This phrase is a request for someone to grasp and hold your hand. The verb used implies "linking" hands together, which is the standard way to describe holding hands in a romantic or friendly context in Japanese.
Which one should you use?
While 手をつないで focuses on the concept of linking hands together, the related form 手を握って is used when the intent is to "take" or grasp a hand.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 手をつないで is informal and is commonly used between romantic partners, close friends or by a parent to a child. For a more polite request, you can use 手をつないでいただけませんか (Could you kindly hold my hand?) or the alternative 手を握っていただけませんか (Could you kindly take my hand?).
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the request more polite and complete, you can add ください (kudasai) to the end of the phrase to form 手をつないでください.
How do you pronounce it?
te o tsunaide
Did you know?
- Japanese has a specific concept called スキンシップ (skinship), a loanword from 'skin' and 'relationship' used to describe the bonding that happens through physical touch like holding hands.
- While holding hands is common for couples, it is also a very frequent sight among adult female friends in Japan, where it is seen as a sign of close friendship rather than romance.
- The verb つなぐ in 手をつないで means 'to connect' or 'to link' and is the same word used for connecting a telephone line or linking two pieces of rope.
Examples in context
- 手をつないで。Te o tsunaide.Hold my hand.
- 迷子にならないように、手をつないで。Maigo ni naranai you ni, te o tsunaide.Hold my hand so you don't get lost.
- 暗いから、手をつないでほしいな。Kurai kara, te o tsunaide hoshii na.It's dark, so I want you to hold my hand.
Example conversation
A girl asks her brother to hold her hand while walking through a crowded festival.
- 陽葵 Himari人が多いから、手をつないで。Hito ga ooi kara, te o tsunaide.There are many people, so hold my hand.
- 蓮 Renわかったよ、陽葵。Wakatta yo, Himari.I got it, Himari.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとう、蓮くん。Arigatou, Ren-kun.Thank you, Ren.
- 蓮 Ren離さないようにするね。Hanasanai you ni suru ne.I'll make sure not to let go.
