Explore 指 in words about fingers, pointing and goals. Learn each reading in a complete word.

The idea

指 has 9 strokes; follow the linked diagram. 指（ゆび） means finger, 指す（さす） means point to, and 指示（しじ） means instruction. 目指す（めざす） means aim for.

Patterns to compare
Japanese wordReadingMeaning
指ゆびfinger
指すさすpoint to
指示しじinstruction
目指すめざすaim for

Examples

  • 指ゆびを切きりました。I cut my finger.
  • 彼かれは地図ちずを指ゆびで指さしました。He pointed at the map with his finger.
  • 先生せんせいの指示しじを聞きいてください。Please listen to the teacher’s instructions.
  • 右みぎの人差ひとさし指ゆびが痛いたいです。My right index finger hurts.
  • 彼女かのじょは医者いしゃを目指めざしています。She aims to become a doctor.
  • 指定していの場所ばしょで待まってください。Please wait at the designated place.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

The reading changes with the word: 指 alone is ゆび, but 指示 begins with し. 指す describes pointing; 目指す expresses a goal.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 指 in 指を切りました in hiragana.

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    ゆび

    指 is ゆび here: the sentence says “I cut my finger.” Learn the noun with its reading.

  2. Write the reading of 指示 in hiragana.

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    しじ

    指示 is しじ, meaning instructions; the example asks you to listen to the teacher’s instructions.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: 目＿す（めざす）［指／手］.

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    指

    指 completes 目指す（めざす）, meaning to aim for a goal.

Use it today

Write 指 following the diagram. Cover the table, read 指 and 指示, then make a sentence with either word.