Chinese word

中指

Pronunciation

Pinyinzhōng zhǐ

Meaning

  • nounmiddle finger

Example

他用中指按手机屏幕。tā yòng zhōng zhǐ àn shǒu jī píng mù

He used his middle finger to press the phone screen.

Illustration for 中指 (middle finger)

More examples

我把戒指戴在中指上。wǒ bǎ jiè zhǐ dài zài zhōng zhǐ shàng

I put a ring on my middle finger.

Core concept

A long finger at the center of the four fingers, serving as a steady point for pressing, touching, or supporting.

Common phrases

  • 用中指按yòng zhōng zhǐ àn

    use the middle finger to press

  • 把戒指戴在中指上bǎ jiè zhǐ dài zài zhōng zhǐ shàng

    put a ring on the middle finger

  • 中指受伤zhōng zhǐ shòu shāng

    the middle finger is injured

Similar words

拇指mú zhǐ: A short, thick finger that helps grip and hold things.
食指shí zhǐ: A finger commonly used to point, tap, or select.
无名指wú míng zhǐ: The fourth finger, where rings are often worn.
小指xiáo zhǐ: The smallest finger on the outside of the hand, helpful for delicate movements.

Definition in Chinese

手的第三根，从拇指算起的第三根指头，位于食指与无名指之间，常用于按压、支撑或触摸屏幕。shǒu de dì sān gēn cóng mú zhǐ suàn qǐ de dì sān gēn zhǐ tou wèi yú shí zhǐ yǔ wú míng zhǐ zhī jiān cháng yòng yú àn yā zhī chēng huò chù mō píng mù

Word origin

中 (zhōng, "middle") identifies the position, while 指 (zhǐ, "finger") identifies the body part, making the compound's meaning easy to trace.

Usage tips

  • In ordinary Chinese action descriptions, this body-part noun can follow a verb directly without an article, unlike the usual English phrasing.

Word lists with this word