ichidan verb, transitive verb
count on one's fingers
Literal action of counting by bending fingers one by one. Often used when enumerating items or keeping track of a number.
子どもは指折り数えて、おやつの数を確かめた。
The child counted on their fingers to check the number of snacks.
ichidan verb, transitive verb
count down the days; look forward to eagerly
Figurative use: counting the remaining days until an anticipated event, often with excitement. The image is of bending fingers to mark each passing day.
旅行の日を指折り数えて待っている。
I'm counting down the days until the trip, looking forward to it.
彼女は誕生日を指折り数えている。
She is counting down the days to her birthday.