Mano de obra

[irmamar]

I need to say "mano de obra" using the word "hand". Labour hand?

[ROBINDESBOIS]

labor force, I think

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by irmamar

I need to say "mano de obra" using the word "hand". Labour hand?

You can't. You have to use the adjective of hand: Manual labour.

[irmamar]

I need the word "hand". The dictionary says that "hand" is "someone who does hard physical work...". I want to distinguish "hand" alone from other "hands" (so, "a hand in a card game/game of cards" , or "the hand of the military authorities"). I need a short context of the word "hand" to give the definition. "Hand in a working context" would be appropriate?

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by irmamar

I need the word "hand". The dictionary says that "hand" is "someone who does hard physical work...". I want to distinguish "hand" alone from other "hands" (so, "a hand in a card game/game of cards" , or "the hand of the military authorities"). I need a short context of the word "hand" to give the definition. "Hand in a working context" would be appropriate?

True, a hand is an assistant of somebody to perform manual labour (=Jack as in hydraulic Jack, gato). Specifically, every sailor on a ship is a 'hand' so there are commands like "All hands on deck"; "All hands to the pumps".

But I'm not quite sure what you need here.

[chileno]

I would say "labor hand" = trabajador and "manual labor" = manualidad/trabajo manual

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by chileno

I would say "labor hand" = trabajador and "manual labor" = manualidad/trabajo manual

OK in that case you have 'manual labourer', not 'manual labour' but I don't see how you can shoehorn a 'hand' into the expression.

[irmamar]

For instance, I've written (about the different meanings of "hand"):

- The hands of the authority: its influence in an event or situation.
- Hand in a game of cards: set of cards that you are holding in a hand.
- ????? (with the word "hand"): someone, usually a man, who does physical work.

That ??? is what I don't know. I thought of "Labour hand", but maybe the second option I gave would be more appropriate - "Hand in a working context. I can't write "hand" alone, or can I?

I've taken the definitions from the dictionary, but it only gives "hand" as entry, I need to put that "hand" in a context.

[Rusty]

A "hired hand" is probably what you're after. This is someone who does physical work, for pay. At a ranch, the "hands" are all the people who work it. They are all paid for that work, in some form or another, so they can also be considered "hired hands."

[chileno]

You can always state "I had an extra hand to help me do these chores" and it is understood that you had someone else helping you.