Translation and Meaning of: 指 - yubi

The Japanese word 「指」 (yubi) means "finger." It is a common term in Japan and represents an essential part of the human body used in various activities, from communication to manual tasks. The etymology of 「指」 is directly related to its meaning, referring to the unique ability of human fingers to point, indicate, or manipulate objects precisely.

The origin of the kanji 「指」 comes from a combination of radicals that express the idea of "hand" and "to indicate". The radical 「扌」 (tehen) is associated with the hand, while the part 「旨」 suggests the idea of pointing or indicating, reflecting the primary function of fingers in our ability to direct or manipulate. This is illustrative of how Japanese characters often associate form and function in their construction.

Besides its use as a noun, 「指」 also appears in various compound words, expanding its meaning. For example, 「指輪」 (yubiwa) means "ring", literally "finger" and "ring". It is also found in 「指示」 (shiji), which means "instruction" or "direction", implying the idea of indicating or guiding. Thus, the use of 「指」 in this and other combinations illustrates the flexibility and breadth of this expression in the Japanese language.

Culturally, fingers hold significant importance in Japan, appearing in various traditions and practices. For example, counting on fingers and the etiquette of pointing are important considerations within Japanese visual and behavioral culture. Therefore, understanding the word 「指」 is also about gaining a deeper insight into the cultural nuances that enrich the language and life in Japan.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 指示 (shiji) - Indication, instruction
• 手指 (tesushi) - Fingers of the hands
• 指先 (yubisaki) - Fingertips
• 指摘 (shiteki) - Indication, pointing out (of an error)
• 指導 (shidō) - Guidance, instruction (in an educational context)
• 指図 (sashiizu) - Instruction, guidance (general)
• 指揮 (shiki) - Command, direction (usually used in musical or military contexts)
• 指名 (shimei) - Appointment, designation
• 指定 (shitei) - Designation, specification
• 指輪 (yubiwa) - ring
• 指令 (shirei) - order, command
• 指南 (shinan) - Guidance, guide
• 指針 (shishin) - Direction, guiding line
• 指標 (shihyō) - Indicator, signal
• 指示器 (shijiki) - Indicator, signaling device
• 指紋 (shimon) - Digital (digital printing)
• 指先立てる (yubisaki tateru) - Raise the tip of your fingers (pointing at something)
• 指差す (yubisasu) - Point with your fingers
• 指摘する (shiteki suru) - Point out, indicate (an error)
• 指導する (shidō suru) - Guide, instruct
• 指図する (sashiizu suru) - Give instructions, guide
• 指揮する (shiki suru) - Conduct, direct (an orchestra or group)
• 指名する (shimei suru) - Name, designate
• 指定する (shitei suru) - Designate, specify
• 指輪する (yubiwa suru) - Put on a ring
• 指令する (shirei suru) - To give orders, to command
• 指南する (shinan suru) - To guide, to direct
• 指針する (shishin suru) - Direct, provide guidelines
• 指標する (shihyō suru) - Indicate, signal
• 指示器する (shijiki suru) - Indicar, sinalizar (em um sentido técnico)
• 指紋する (shimon suru) - Make a digital fingerprint.

指

Romaji: yubi
Kana: ゆび
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n4

Translation / Meaning: finger

Meaning in English: finger

Definition: The part that is at the tip of your hand.

Example Sentences - (指) yubi

See below some example sentences:

頂点を目指して努力し続ける。

Chouten wo mezashite doryoku shitsuzukeru

Keep striving to reach the top.

Keep aiming for the top.

• 頂点 - top, peak
• を - direct object particle
• 目指して - To aim, to have as a goal
• 努力 - effort, commitment
• し続ける - keep doing

人差し指で指し示す。

Hitosashiyubi de sashishimesu

Point with the index finger.

Point with your index finger.

• 人 (hito) - person
• 差し指 (sashiyubi) - Index finger
• で (de) - with
• 指し示す (sashimesasu) - to point

下位のポジションから上を目指す。

Kawai no pojishon kara ue o mezasu

Aiming high from a lower position.

Aim from the bottom position.

• 下位 - means "lower position".
• の - particle that indicates possession or relationship between two words.
• ポジション - a word borrowed from English meaning "position".
• から - particle indicating origin or starting point.
• 上 - means "superior".
• を - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 目指す - verb meaning "to aim for" or "to aim at".

この書類には指定されたフォーマットに従って記入してください。

Kono shorui ni wa shitei sareta formatto ni shitagatte kinyuu shite kudasai

Please complete this document in the specified format.

Complete this document according to the specified format.

• この - this
• 書類 - Document
• には - indicates a location or a target
• 指定された - specified
• フォーマット - Format
• に従って - according to
• 記入してください - fill in

私は昇進を目指して頑張ります。

Watashi wa shōshin o mezashite ganbarimasu

I will strive to get promoted.

I will do my best to promote.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 昇進 (shoushin) - Japanese noun meaning "promotion"
• を (wo) - object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 目指して (mezashite) - Japanese verb meaning "to aim" or "to aim for"
• 頑張ります (ganbarimasu) - Japanese verb meaning "to do one's best" or "to strive"

指摘されたことを真剣に受け止めます。

Shitoku sareta koto wo shinken ni uketomemasu

I take what has been pointed out seriously.

I take what has been pointed out seriously.

• 指摘されたこと - "Pointed things"
• を - object particle
• 真剣に - "Sincerely"
• 受け止めます - "Accept"

完璧を目指す。

Kanpeki wo mezasu

Aiming for perfection.

Aim for perfection.

• 完璧 (kanpeki) - perfection
• を (wo) - object particle
• 目指す (mezasu) - aim, aim

勝ちを目指して頑張ります。

Kachi wo mezashite ganbarimasu

I will strive to achieve victory.

I will do my best to win.

• 勝ち - victory
• を - object particle
• 目指して - aiming, looking
• 頑張ります - I will do my best, I will strive.

この指令に従って行動してください。

Kono shirei ni shitagatte kōdō shite kudasai

Please follow these instructions and take the necessary action.

Please act according to this command.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 指令 - noun that means "order" or "instruction"
• に - particle that indicates the target or destination of the action
• 従って - adverb that means "according to" or "as"
• 行動 - noun that means "action" or "behavior"
• して - verb form of the verb "suru" meaning "to do"
• ください - polite form of the verb "kudasai" which means "please"

真空は空気のない状態を指します。

Shinkuu wa kuuki no nai joutai wo shimeshimasu

Vacuum refers to a state without air.

• Input - - - Please provide data entry into the system.
• 真空 - - - Japanese word that means "vacuum".
• は - - - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence.
• 空気 - - - Japanese word that means "air".
• の - - - Japanese particle indicating possession or relationship.
• ない - - - Japanese adjective that means "nonexistent".
• 状態 - - - Japanese word that means "state" or "condition".
• を - - - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 指します - - - Japanese verb that means "indicate" or "point".