What is the nuance between 手数 and 手間?


I've found the dictionary definitions of
[手数](http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/leaf/jn2/151505/m0u/) and
[手間](http://dictionary.goo.ne.jp/leaf/jn2/152394/m0u/), both that are
translated to "time, labor":

> 手数
>
> １ それをするのに要する動作・作業などの数。てかず。「―のかかる料理」
>
> ２ 他人のためにことさらにかける手間。てかず。「お―でもよろしく」「お―をかけて恐縮です」

VS

> 手間
>
> １ そのことをするのに費やされる時間や労力。「―を省く」「―がかかる」
>
> ...
>
> ３ 手間賃を取ってする仕事。手間仕事。また、その仕事をする人。「―を雇う」

What I don't understand are the nuances. I.e., when can/should one be used and
not the other, or when can both be used.




There is a hint in the differences by looking at the different characters
used: 数 vs 間.

数 indicates that _numbers_ are involved, as seen in the definition of 手数 →
動作・作業の **数**. In other words, the **number** of steps or **amount** of work
necessary is the focus.

間 indicates that _time_ is involved, as seen in the definition of 手間 → 費やされる
**時間** や労力. In other words, the amount of **time** and the amount of
**effort** is the focus.

So, let's look at some examples:

> 手間がかかる料理
>
> 手数がかかる料理

I think both of the above phrases could be used, but the _focus_ is different.
The first implies a dish which takes a lot of time and effort to make, while
the second one implies a dish which requires a lot steps to make.

> XXのネットサービスを利用すれば、お店まで行く手間が省ける (If you use XX internet service, you don't
> have to go all the way to the store)

In the above sentence, since we are talking about _effort_ , I think 手間 is
more suited than 手数 because we are not talking about something that involves
multiple steps, etc. we are talking about the effort of going to the store.

There is another different between the two:

> お手数おかけします

You might see the above often as a fixed expression. However, we cannot use 手間
here. Why? Because 手数をかける is always directed toward somebody else and implies
somebody else will do something for you (as noted in your second definition),
whereas 手間をかける will imply something that you do yourself, such as 手間をかけて作ったケーキ
(a cake that you put time and effort into to make).

Also, 手間 often has a strong emphasis on time, like in the following sentence:

> XXのインストールに手間取った




There is a hint in the differences by looking at the different characters
used: 数 vs 間.

数 indicates that _numbers_ are involved, as seen in the definition of 手数 →
動作・作業の **数**. In other words, the **number** of steps or **amount** of work
necessary is the focus.

間 indicates that _time_ is involved, as seen in the definition of 手間 → 費やされる
**時間** や労力. In other words, the amount of **time** and the amount of
**effort** is the focus.

So, let's look at some examples:

> 手間がかかる料理
>
> 手数がかかる料理

I think both of the above phrases could be used, but the _focus_ is different.
The first implies a dish which takes a lot of time and effort to make, while
the second one implies a dish which requires a lot steps to make.

> XXのネットサービスを利用すれば、お店まで行く手間が省ける (If you use XX internet service, you don't
> have to go all the way to the store)

In the above sentence, since we are talking about _effort_ , I think 手間 is
more suited than 手数 because we are not talking about something that involves
multiple steps, etc. we are talking about the effort of going to the store.

There is another different between the two:

> お手数おかけします

You might see the above often as a fixed expression. However, we cannot use 手間
here. Why? Because 手数をかける is always directed toward somebody else and implies
somebody else will do something for you (as noted in your second definition),
whereas 手間をかける will imply something that you do yourself, such as 手間をかけて作ったケーキ
(a cake that you put time and effort into to make).

Also, 手間 often has a strong emphasis on time, like in the following sentence:

> XXのインストールに手間取った

