How to say "finger" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 指ゆびnounThe common word for a finger as a body part; it also covers toes, with context telling which is meant. Use it whenever you simply mean the digit itself.
- godan verb, transitive verbA verb, not the body-part noun: it matches 'finger' only in the verb sense of touching, playing with, or fiddling with something. It is usually written in kana alone.その鍵をいじるな！↗Don't play with that key!
- 指先ゆびさきno-adjectiveThis means the fingertip — the tip of the finger — rather than the finger as a whole, for which 指 is the common word; choose it only when the tip itself is meant.
Use 指 for the noun 'finger' (it can also mean a toe), 「いじる」 for the verb sense 'to finger' — touching or fiddling with something — and 指先 for the fingertip rather than the whole finger.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
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