手間てま vs. お手数てすう: How to Use Them Like Native Speakers

手間てま vs. お手数てすう: How to Use Them Like Native Speakers

What is the difference between “手間てま and お手数てすう“? Which is the apologizing word? After reading this, you would be answering this question. Let me introduce what their subtle differences are and how you correctly use them such as native speakers today!

[wp-svg-icons icon=”checkmrk-circle” wrap=”i”] 手間てま (tema)

[wp-svg-icons icon=”arrow-right-2″ wrap=”span”] A lot of time to do something, A lot of work / 麻烦 / 수고 / công sức

“手間てま” means “A lot of time to do something or A lot of work” and which has been used as the meaning of “to need time to do something/ work”. The basic way to use it “___が手間てまです”. For instance “そこに行いくのが手間てまです。(To go there is a lot of time and energy.), それは手間てまがかかります。(It requires a lot of work.)”, etc. When someone uses “手間てま“, he/she feels “to do something is a bother”. So this is the pretty negative word. Furthermore, “___が面倒めんどうです(___ is a bother)” is a quite direct expression, so some native speakers use “___が手間てまです”, and what they want to say is the same though.

[wp-svg-icons icon=”checkmrk-circle” wrap=”i”] お手数てすう (otesuu)

[wp-svg-icons icon=”arrow-right-2″ wrap=”span”] Inconvenience / 劳烦 / 번거로움 / phiền hà

“お手数てすう” means “Inconvenience” and which has been used as the meaning of “a state or an example of problems or trouble, often causing a delay or loss of comfort”. The basic way to use it “お手数てすう___”. For instance “お手数てすうをお掛かけします。(I’m sorry for your inconvenience.)”, “お手数てすうお掛かけしました。(I apologize for the inconvenience.)”, etc. The tip for using “お手数てすう” is that basically “お手数てすう” is used in business situations, so we don’t usually say it in daily conversations. This is the word to apologize, so the polite character “お” is put before the “手数てすう” which is not used alone.

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