Japanese word

人差し指

Pronunciation

Romajihitosashiyubi

Meaning

  • nounindex finger

Example

人差し指で地図を指します。hito sa shi yubi de chi zu o sa shi ma su

I point at the map with my index finger.

Illustration for 人差し指 (index finger)

More examples

スマートフォンの小さなボタンを人差し指で押します。su mā to fo n no chii sa na bo ta n o hito sa shi yubi de o shi ma su

I press the small button on my smartphone with my index finger.

Core concept

It centers on the finger beside the thumb being extended to single out a person or thing.

Common phrases

  • 人差し指を立てるhito sa shi yubi o ta te ru

    raise one's index finger

  • 人差し指で押すhito sa shi yubi de o su

    press with one's index finger

Similar words

示指shishi: A formal name for the finger beside the thumb, especially in anatomical descriptions.
食指shokushi: A traditional name for the finger beside the thumb, also used in formal writing.

Definition in Japanese

親指の隣にあり、人や物を指し示すときに使う指。oya yubi no tonari ni a ri hito ya mono o sa shi shime su to ki ni tsuka u yubi

Word origin

The compound 人差し指 (hitosashiyubi) combines 人 (hito, "person") with 差し指 (sashiyubi, "pointing finger"), from 差す (sasu, "to point") and 指 (yubi, "finger").

Usage tips

  • English speakers often mention the index finger when describing touchscreen actions such as tapping or swiping, not only when pointing at something.

Word lists with this word