godan verb (-su), transitive verb
point at; point to
Physical pointing, typically with a finger, hand, pointer, or similar object. The thing pointed at is marked with を in common usage.
彼は地図の駅を指して、「ここで待とう」と言った。
He pointed at the station on the map and said, "Let's wait here."
先生が黒板
The teacher pointed to the diagram on the blackboard.
godan verb (-su), transitive verb
nominate; designate; select someone
Used for choosing or designating a person for a role, position, turn, or responsibility. This use is somewhat formal or written compared with 指名する.
社長は彼を後任に指した。
The company president designated him as the successor.
監督は新人を先発に指した。
The manager selected the rookie as the starter.
godan verb (-su), transitive verb
indicate; identify; refer to; point out
Abstract use for showing what something means, identifies, or refers to. Common with words, labels, signs, data, or contextual expressions.
ここでの「彼」は誰を指しますか。
Who does "he" refer to here?
この印は危険な場所を指している。
This mark indicates a dangerous place.
godan verb (-su), transitive verb
play shogi; make a shogi move
Shogi-specific use. 将棋を指す means to play a game of shogi; a move can also be expressed as a piece or notation plus と指す.
彼は毎週末、友人と将棋を指す。
He plays shogi with a friend every weekend.
初手は７六歩と指した。
The first move was 7-six pawn.
godan verb (-su), transitive verb
extend the arm straight ahead in dance
Specialized dance or performance usage for extending the hand or arm straight forward. It overlaps with the related spelling 差す and is not a general everyday use of 指す.
See also: 差す
日本舞踊の説明で「手を前に指す」とあれば、腕を前へ伸ばす所作をいう。
In a description of Japanese dance, "pointing the hand forward" means extending the arm forward as a movement.