Translation guide
The English word 'finger' refers to the digits of the hand. In Japanese, the basic word is 指 (ゆび), which covers both fingers and toes. To specify a finger, you can use 手の指 (てのゆび) or name individual fingers. This guide covers how to talk about fingers naturally in Japanese.
Referring to a finger or fingers in general, without specifying which one.
The most common word for 'finger'. It can also mean 'toe', so context or additional words like 手の指 (てのゆび) clarify it as a finger.
Literally 'hand finger', used to explicitly distinguish from toes.
手の指を動かしてください。
Please move your fingers.
Naming individual fingers: thumb, index finger, middle finger, ring finger, little finger.
Thumb. Literally 'parent finger'.
親指で押してください。
Please press with your thumb.
Middle finger. Literally 'middle finger'.
Ring finger. Literally 'medicine finger', from the historical use of this finger to mix medicine.
Little finger. Literally 'small finger'.
小指をぶつけた。
I bumped my little finger.
Using 'finger' to indicate a small amount or thickness, like 'a finger of whiskey' or 'two fingers wide'.
Literally 'one finger's worth', used for thickness or a small amount of liquid.
指一本分のウイスキーを注ぐ。
Pour a finger of whiskey.
Two fingers' width or amount.
指二本分の幅を開ける。
Leave a gap two fingers wide.
Common actions involving fingers: snapping, pointing, crossing fingers, etc.
To snap one's fingers.
彼は指を鳴らして店員を呼んだ。
He snapped his fingers to call the waiter.
To point at something with a finger.
人を指でさしてはいけない。
Don't point at people with your finger.
To interlace one's fingers (e.g., when stretching or praying).
指を組んでストレッチする。
Stretch with your fingers interlaced.
Pinky swear; literally 'finger cut', a promise made by linking little fingers.
Idiomatic uses of 'finger' in English and their Japanese equivalents.
Literally 'to hold a finger in one's mouth', meaning to watch enviously without being able to participate. Equivalent to 'to look on with envy'.
他の人が楽しそうに遊んでいるのを、指をくわえて見ていた。
I watched enviously as others played happily.
Literally 'to be among the five fingers', meaning to rank among the top five. Similar to 'top-notch'.
彼は日本の五指に入るピアニストだ。
He is one of the top five pianists in Japan.
The word 指 (ゆび) can mean both finger and toe. If the context is unclear, use 手の指 (てのゆび) for finger and 足の指 (あしのゆび) for toe.
足の指をぶつけた。
I stubbed my toe.
In Japan, when counting on fingers, people often start with the hand open and fold fingers inward, beginning with the thumb. This is the opposite of the Western style of starting with a fist and extending fingers.
日本では、指を折って数える。
In Japan, people count by folding their fingers.
Index finger. Literally 'person-pointing finger'.
人差し指で指す。
Point with your index finger.
中指が一番長い。
The middle finger is the longest.
薬指に指輪をはめる。
Put a ring on the ring finger.
Pinky swear: if you lie, you'll swallow a thousand needles. (traditional rhyme)
To count on one's fingers; also used figuratively to mean 'one of the best' or 'to eagerly await'.
指折り数えて待つ。
To eagerly wait (counting down the days).