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

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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:

コーチは運動選手を指導する人です。

Kōchi wa undō senshu wo shidō suru hito desu

A coach is someone who guides athletes.

The coach is a person who teaches athletic players.

• コーチ - trainer
• は - Topic particle
• 運動選手 - athlete
• を - direct object particle
• 指導する - instruct
• 人 - person
• です - is

この指輪は私の愛の証です。

Kono yubiwa wa watashi no ai no akashi desu

This ring is proof of my love.

This ring is proof of my love.

• この - this
• 指輪 - ring
• は - is
• 私の - my
• 愛 - love
• の - of
• 証 - test
• です - is (formal)

この会社は優秀な人材を採用することを目指しています。

Kono kaisha wa yūshūna jinzai o saiyō suru koto o mezashite imasu

This company aims to hire exceptional talent.

The company intends to hire excellent human resources.

• この会社 - This company
• は - Topic particle
• 優秀な - Great
• 人材 - Human resources
• を - Direct object particle
• 採用する - Hire
• こと - Abstract noun
• を - Direct object particle
• 目指しています - It is aimed at

ナイターは夜の野球の試合を指します。

Naitā wa yoru no yakyū no shiai o sashimasu

The night game refers to a baseball game at night.

• ナイター - Japanese term that refers to nighttime baseball games
• 夜 - night
• 野球 - baseball
• 試合 - game
• 指します - refers to

公平な社会を目指しましょう。

Kouhei na shakai wo mezashimashou

Let's look for a fair society.

• 公平な - adjective meaning "fair" or "impartial"
• 社会 - noun meaning "society"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 目指しましょう - verb meaning "to seek" or "to aim for", conjugated in the polite imperative

共に歩む未来を目指そう。

Tomoni ayumu mirai wo mezasou

Let's seek together a future to walk.

Point to the future where you walk together.

• 共に - together
• 歩む - walking, moving forward
• 未来 - future
• を - object particle
• 目指そう - let's strive to achieve

分散はデータのばらつきを表す重要な指標です。

Bunsan wa data no baratsuki wo hyōsu suru jūyōna shihyō desu

Distributed is an important indicator for data variation.

• 分散 (bunsan) - variance
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• データ (deeta) - data
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• ばらつき (baratsuki) - dispersion
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 表す (arawasu) - represent
• 重要な (juuyou na) - important
• 指標 (shihyou) - indicator
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

小指を骨折しました。

Koyubi wo kossetsu shimashita

I broke my little finger.

• 小指 - Pinky finger
• を - object particle
• 骨折 - fracture
• しました - past tense of the verb "suru" (to do)

「彼は偉大な指導者として仰っしゃる。」

Kare wa idai na shidōsha to shite ossharu

He is revered as a great leader.

He is a great leader.

• 彼 (kare) - he
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 偉大な (idai na) - Great, magnificent
• 指導者 (shidousha) - leader, guide
• として (toshite) - as, in the capacity of
• 仰っしゃる (ossharu) - expression of respect when speaking of someone, in this case, "is considered"

彼は上司に指図された。

Kare wa jōshi ni shizu sareta

He was ordered by his boss.

He was instructed by his boss.

• 彼 - personal pronoun "he"
• は - Topic particle
• 上司 - noun "boss"
• に - target particle
• 指図 - noun "order, instruction"
• された - passive form of the verb "to do, to send"