つま先

• Reading: つまさき
• Romaji: tsumasaki
• Kanji breakdown: 先 (saki) — tip, point, ahead (つま is typically written in hiragana)
• Pronunciation: /tsɯ.ma.sa.ki/

Meaning

Toes; the tips of the toes. Also the toe area of shoes or socks.

A noun referring to the front part of the foot — the toes and the area around them. Used in daily life, fashion (shoe fit), dance (つま先立ち, standing on tiptoe), and sports contexts. Can also be written as 爪先, though the mixed hiragana-kanji form つま先 is more common in modern usage.

Examples

1. つま先立ちをすると棚の上に手が届く。 If I stand on my tiptoes, I can reach the top shelf.
2. この靴はつま先が少しきつい。 The toe area of these shoes is a little tight.
3. バレリーナはつま先で美しく立つ練習をしている。 Ballerinas practice standing gracefully on their toes.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, fashion, dance, sports

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From つま (tsuma, an edge or end — also seen in 爪/つめ, nail/claw) + 先 (saki, tip/point). Literally 'the tip of the end part,' referring to the very foremost point of the foot.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal