Meaning and Usage
"指" (ゆび) primarily means "finger" in Japanese. It refers to the digits on the hand and is used in everyday conversation to talk about injuries, pointing, or actions involving fingers.
Common Collocations
- 指をけがする: to injure a finger
- 指を指す: to point with a finger
- 指を使う: to use fingers (for actions like writing or playing instruments)
Usage Notes
When using "指," it often appears in contexts related to physical actions or body parts. It can also be part of compound words or phrases involving fingers. Be careful not to confuse "指" with "指示" (しじ), which means "instruction" or "indication".
Register and Politeness
"指" is a neutral word and can be used in both casual and formal contexts without issue.
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse "指" (finger) with "爪" (つめ, nail). Remember that "指" refers to the whole finger, while "爪" is specifically the fingernail.