Meaning and Usage
"手配" (てはい) primarily means "arrangement" or "preparation," often referring to organizing events, travel, or meetings. It also has a specific legal meaning related to police work, where it means "search" or "wanted notice" for a suspect.
Common Contexts
You will frequently see 手配 used in contexts like travel arrangements (旅行の手配), event planning, or urgent preparations. In police or legal contexts, 手配 refers to the act of issuing a warrant or searching for a criminal.
Collocations and Patterns
- 旅行の手配: travel arrangements
- 会議の手配: meeting arrangements
- 犯人の手配: search for a criminal (police context)
- 急な手配: urgent arrangements
Register and Politeness
手配 is a neutral noun and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. When combined with verbs like する, it forms a common expression for "to arrange" or "to search."
Common Learner Notes
Learners sometimes confuse 手配 with 準備 (じゅんび), which also means preparation. 手配 often implies organizing or arranging something specific and concrete, while 準備 is more general preparation. Also, be careful not to confuse the police-related meaning with everyday arrangements; context will clarify the intended use.