Meaning and Usage
The word "手入れ" (ていれ) primarily means "maintenance," "repairs," or "care." It is used when talking about taking care of something to keep it in good condition, such as cars, gardens, clothes, or even animals.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "手入れ" in contexts related to regular upkeep or repair work. For example, "車の手入れ" means car maintenance, and "庭の手入れ" means gardening or garden care.
Collocations and Patterns
- 手入れをする: to perform maintenance or care
- 手入れが必要: maintenance is necessary
- 手入れが行き届く: well-maintained
These phrases are common in both casual and formal speech, but the word itself is neutral and polite enough for everyday use.
Tips for Learners
Be careful not to confuse "手入れ" with "手入れする" as a verb phrase meaning "to maintain" or "to repair." The noun "手入れ" can be used with verbs like "する" to form the verb phrase.
Also, "手入れ" can sometimes refer to police raids or inspections in certain contexts, but this usage is less common and usually clear from context.