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:

指揮をとる人はリーダーシップが必要です。

Shiki wo toru hito wa riidaashippu ga hitsuyou desu

The person who takes command needs leadership.

• 指揮をとる人 - person who leads
• は - Topic particle
• リーダーシップ - leadership
• が - subject particle
• 必要です - necessary

指を折った。

Yubi wo otta

I broke my finger.

• 指 (yubi) - finger
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 折った (ottta) - broke (past tense of the verb "oru")

Translation - Broke the finger.

指示を守って行動しましょう。

Shiji wo mamotte koudou shimashou

Let's follow the instructions and act.

• 指示 (shiji) - instruction, guideline
• を (wo) - object particle
• 守って (mamotte) - protect, obey
• 行動 (koudou) - action, behavior
• しましょう (shimashou) - polite way of suggesting or asking for something

文明な社会を目指しましょう。

Bunmei na shakai wo mezashimashou

Let's look for a civil society.

• 文明な - civilized
• 社会 - society
• を - direct object particle
• 目指しましょう - let's strive to achieve

権威ある指導者が必要です。

Ken'i aru shidōsha ga hitsuyō desu

We need a leader with authority.

You need a leader of prestige.

• 権威 (けんい) - authority
• ある - existing
• 指導者 (しどうしゃ) - leader, guide
• が - subject particle
• 必要 (ひつよう) - necessary
• です - verb to be in the polite form

比重は物質の密度を表す重要な指標です。

Bijū wa busshitsu no mitsudo o hyōsu jūyōna shihyōdesu

Specific gravity is an important indicator that represents the density of the substance.

• 比重 (hijū) - relative density
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 物質 (busshitsu) - substance
• の (no) - Possessive particle
• 密度 (mitsudo) - density
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 表す (arawasu) - Expressar, representar
• 重要な (jūyōna) - important
• 指標 (shihyō) - indicator
• です (desu) - be (linking verb)

私は指を捩りました。

Watashi wa yubi o nejirimashita

I crooked my finger.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 指 (yubi) - Japanese noun that means "finger"
• を (wo) - object particle indicating the direct object of the action
• 捩りました (nejirimashita) - Japanese verb that means "to twist".

私の指にとげが刺さった。

Watashi no yubi ni toge ga sasatta

A thorn was stuck in my finger.

The throat arrested on my finger.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• の (no) - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 指 (yubi) - It means "finger" in Japanese.
• に (ni) - particle that indicates action or direction
• とげ (toge) - It means "thorn" in Japanese.
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 刺さった (sasatta) - The verb "sasaru" in the past, meaning "to pierce" or "to sting"

私は彼女を指しています。

Watashi wa kanojo o sashite imasu

I am pointing at her.

I point at her.

• 私 - means "I" in Japanese.
• は - It is a grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I".
• 彼女 - means "she" in Japanese.
• を - it is a grammatical particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case "she".
• 指しています - it's a compound verb meaning "to point at", in this case "I am pointing at her."

私の指がドアに挟まる。

Watashi no yubi ga doa ni hasamaru

My finger gets stuck in the door.

My finger is captured by the door.

• 私の指が - "My finger"
• ドアに - "at the door"
• 挟まる - "got stuck"