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.

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by 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."

Yes, I think that "hired hand" could match here. Thank you.

Originally Posted by 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.

I have another point with "Ask for a hand", too. Thank you.