指

• Reading: ゆび
• Romaji: yubi
• Kanji breakdown: 指 (shi/yubi) — finger, point
• Pronunciation: /jɯ.bi/

Meaning

Finger; toe; digit. The individual appendages of hands and feet.

Refers to both fingers and toes. To distinguish, Japanese uses 手の指 (fingers) and 足の指 (toes). Individual fingers have specific names: 親指 (thumb), 人差し指 (index finger), 中指 (middle finger), 薬指 (ring finger), 小指 (little finger). Also used in 指輪 (ring, worn on a finger).

Examples

1. ドアに指を挟んでしまった。 I accidentally caught my finger in the door.
2. 指で数を数えてみましょう。 Let's try counting on our fingers.
3. 薬指に指輪をしている。 There's a ring on their ring finger.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, counting, description

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Old Japanese. The kanji 指 combines 手 (hand) and 旨 (purport/point), representing the part of the hand that points.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal