手旗

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 手旗 is read as てばた and refers to a small flag held in the hand for signaling.
• Basic usage: It is used both for the action of waving the flag and for a signaling method that uses hand flags.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Moving the flag
  • 手旗を振る is the concrete action of waving a hand flag, with a purpose such as directing vehicles added in context. Example: 係員が手旗を振って車両を誘導した。
• Naming the signaling method
  • 手旗による合図 means a signal made by means of hand flags. Example: 浜辺で手旗による合図を練習した。