How to say "pointer" in Japanese

• 指針ししんCommon
  nounFor pointer as the needle of a compass or gauge, or the hand of a clock, this is the word to use. It is also used figuratively of an indicator or guideline.
• ポインタ
  nounThe loanword for the English pointer, the breed of hunting dog. It is not the word for a pointer stick or an instrument needle.
• 指し棒さしぼう
  nounA stick held in the hand and used to point at a board, map, or chart — the pointer a lecturer uses. This is the concrete, stick sense of pointer.
• 指示棒しじぼう
  nounMuch the same as 指し棒: a rod used to point at a board, screen, or map while explaining something to an audience. The two are largely interchangeable.
• ムチ
  nounIts basic sense is whip (also stick, cane, rod); as pointer it is marginal, and for a pointing stick use 指し棒 or 指示棒 instead. Usually written in kana alone.

Use the common word 指針 for the needle or hand of a gauge, compass, or clock; 「指し棒」 or 指示棒 for a stick held to point with; 「ポインタ」 is the dog breed; 「ムチ」 is really whip.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 指針ししんneedle (compass, gauge, etc.)
• ポインタpointer (dog breed)
• 指し棒さしぼうpointer
• 指示棒しじぼうpointer
• むちstick
• 針はりhand (e.g. clock, etc.)