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手の脂（TE NO ABURA)による汚れ

English translation: greasy fingerprints

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
Japanese term or phrase:手の脂（TE NO ABURA)による汚れ
English translation:greasy fingerprints
Entered by: KathyT

00:29 Jul 7, 2005
Japanese to English translations [PRO]
Architecture
Japanese term or phrase: 手の脂（TE NO ABURA)による汚れ
Refers to stains remaining on the surface of a smooth and shiny metal architectural artefacts. The stains are caused by people touching the object. "脂手(ABURA TE)"can be translated as "greasy hands¥", but how does one translate "手の脂（TE NO ABURA)"?
wigna
Local time: 22:20
the oil (dirt/grease) on one's hands
Explanation:
one option.

In most cases, the part of the hand making these marks is the fingertips, so I think you could use 'greasy/dirty fingerprints' in many cases.

I would probably just go for "dirt from the oil on (people's) hands", "the marks left by human hands", etc. for the full phrase (手の脂による汚れ).

Selected response from:

KathyT
Australia
Local time: 23:20
Grading comment
Many thanks to Kathy, Rasputin and Kurt Hammond for their advice. 'greasy fingerprints' appears to be a good choice in this particular case.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4 +2the oil (dirt/grease) on one's hands
KathyT


  

Answers


33 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5 peer agreement (net): +2
手の脂（TE NO ABURA)による汚れ
the oil (dirt/grease) on one's hands


Explanation:
one option.

In most cases, the part of the hand making these marks is the fingertips, so I think you could use 'greasy/dirty fingerprints' in many cases.

I would probably just go for "dirt from the oil on (people's) hands", "the marks left by human hands", etc. for the full phrase (手の脂による汚れ).



KathyT
Australia
Local time: 23:20
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Many thanks to Kathy, Rasputin and Kurt Hammond for their advice. 'greasy fingerprints' appears to be a good choice in this particular case.

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Troy Fowler: これでいいと思います。'Smear'も言えるかな。。。？
1 hr
  -> Gracias, Rasputin ;-) 'Smear' is certainly another possibility although to me this implies a sort of 'smudging' of the prints or marks, etc.
agree  Kurt Hammond: I think I would just say "finger prints or handprints" unless the context specifically requires a clarification that we are referring the oil.
1 hr
  -> Yes, would concur with that. Thanks, Kurt.
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