手話
shuwa[ɕɨβ̞a̠]
Sign language is 手話 (shuwa) in Japanese.
手話 is the term used to refer to sign language. If you want to specify Japanese Sign Language (JSL), you can add 日本 (Japan) to the beginning to form 日本手話.
Meaning: sign language (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 手話 is a combination of two kanji: 手 (te), meaning "hand" and 話 (wa), meaning "speech" or "language". Literally, it translates to "hand language".
How does it change in a sentence?
When using 手話 in a sentence, the particle following the word changes based on its function. Use the particle を when 手話 is the direct object of a verb, such as when you are learning or using it. To indicate that you are communicating "in" or "using" sign language, use the particle で after 手話.
How do you pronounce it?
shuwa
Did you know?
- Because Japanese has thousands of characters, 手話 users do not spell out 'kanji' characters with their hands but instead use a manual alphabet for the phonetic 'kana' sounds.
- There is a separate system called 日本語手話 (Signed Japanese) used primarily in education to map signs directly onto spoken Japanese grammar.
- While 日本手話 refers to the specific grammar and culture of Japanese Sign Language, there are other regional sign languages used by different communities in Japan that are not linguistically identical.
Examples in context
- 手話に詳しい？Are you familiar with sign language?This sentence uses 手話 to ask about familiarity with the language.Tatoeba #8757190 by bunbuku, translation #6029360 by Huskion
- トムは手話を学んだ。Tom learned sign language.This sentence uses 手話 as a direct object to show someone learned it.Tatoeba #7554243 by Ninja, translation #4500563 by CK
- 私たちは手話で会話をした。We talked in sign language.This sentence uses 手話 with the particle で to indicate communicating in the language.Tatoeba #10270650 by bunbuku, translation #22880 by CK
- 私は手話ができますI can speak sign language.
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a new hobby at a cafe.
- 結衣 Yui健太くん、最近何か習っているの？Kenta-kun, saikin nanika naratte iru no?Kenta, have you been learning something lately?
- 健太 Kentaうん、手話を勉強しているんだ。Un, shuwa o benkyou shite iru n da.Yeah, I am studying sign language.
- 結衣 Yuiすごい！手話は難しい？Sugoi! Shuwa wa muzukashii?That's amazing! Is sign language difficult?
- 健太 Kenta少し難しいけど、とても楽しいよ。Sukoshi muzukashii kedo, totemo tanoshii yo.It's a little difficult, but it's very fun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sign language” translations and entries 手話, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
