Meaning and Usage
"手掛かり" (てがかり) means a clue, hint, or key piece of information that helps in solving a problem or understanding something. It is often used in contexts like investigations, research, or any situation where you need a starting point to find answers.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see "手掛かり" in detective stories, news reports about investigations, or academic discussions where evidence or hints are crucial.
Collocations and Patterns
- 手掛かりを掴む (てがかりをつかむ): to grasp or get a clue
- 手掛かりがある: there is a clue
- 手掛かりを失う: to lose the clue
These expressions emphasize the importance of "手掛かり" as a key to progress in understanding or solving something.
Register and Nuance
"手掛かり" is a neutral to formal word, suitable for written and spoken Japanese in serious contexts. It is not casual slang.
Common Learner Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "手掛かり" with "手がかり" written in kana only, but both are the same word. Also, avoid using it for vague hints; "手掛かり" implies a concrete, useful clue rather than a mere guess.