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  3. Business/Commerce (general)

自らが手を動かす

English translation: take action; take part; be proactive; put into practice

14:00 Jan 21, 2020
Japanese to English translations [PRO]
Bus/Financial - Business/Commerce (general)
Japanese term or phrase: 自らが手を動かす
I need help understanding this expression.

It is used in documents regarding strategic planning.

Thank you.
ainichi
United Kingdom
English translation:take action; take part; be proactive; put into practice
Explanation:
I am not sure if I am allowed to post several answers but I could not choose one as this expression can be interpreted in different ways depending on the context.

他人任せではなく自らが手を動かす -> take action; be proactive
参加者自らが手を動かす-> take part; be involved actively
管理者自らが手を動かす -> be proactive; act proactively
話を聞いて学ぶだけでなく自らが手を動かす -> put into practice; carry out in action

I think the nuance of the term "自らが手を動かす" is acting on something rather reluctant to do or opposite of being reactive, so the person needs to make some effort to do it.

"take initiative" also good, but I think the difference is whether it is something a regular person is willing to do before taking action.

P.S. Please let me know if I am not supposed to list several answers like this.
Selected response from:

Reiko Ando
United States
Grading comment
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
3 +4Exercise/take initiative
casey
3 +3take action; take part; be proactive; put into practice
Reiko Ando


Discussion entries: 3





  

Answers


14 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +4
Exercise/take initiative


Explanation:
They want the partner to get to work on the business without being told what to do.

casey
United States
Local time: 01:57
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 189
Grading comment
Selected automatically based on peer agreement.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Carl Freire: "Take(s) initiative" seems about right to me
54 mins
agree  Henry Dotterer: To take / show / demonstrate initiative is something commonly expected of employees.
4 hrs
agree  redcabbage: I agree but depending on context it can also mean actually doing the job, in contrast just ordering people what to do. Ex: 彼は社長になったが、○○のことになると自ら手を動かしている。Although he has become company president, when it comes to ○○ he does the work himself.
14 hrs
agree  Minoru Kuwahara
1 day 9 mins
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

16 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5 peer agreement (net): +3
take action; take part; be proactive; put into practice


Explanation:
I am not sure if I am allowed to post several answers but I could not choose one as this expression can be interpreted in different ways depending on the context.

他人任せではなく自らが手を動かす -> take action; be proactive
参加者自らが手を動かす-> take part; be involved actively
管理者自らが手を動かす -> be proactive; act proactively
話を聞いて学ぶだけでなく自らが手を動かす -> put into practice; carry out in action

I think the nuance of the term "自らが手を動かす" is acting on something rather reluctant to do or opposite of being reactive, so the person needs to make some effort to do it.

"take initiative" also good, but I think the difference is whether it is something a regular person is willing to do before taking action.

P.S. Please let me know if I am not supposed to list several answers like this.

Reiko Ando
United States
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in JapaneseJapanese
PRO pts in category: 15

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  casey: Good explanations
6 hrs
  -> Thank you!
agree  Minoru Kuwahara
7 hrs
  -> Thank you!
agree  redcabbage: Better than the first translation
21 hrs
  -> Thank you!
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