Translation guide
A pinky promise is a childish vow made by interlocking little fingers. In Japanese, this gesture is called 指切り (yubikiri), and it is often accompanied by a rhyme. The concept is culturally recognized but used mainly among children or in lighthearted contexts.
To make a pinky promise by interlocking little fingers, often with a rhyme.
The noun for the pinky promise gesture. Often used with する to mean 'to pinky promise'.
指切りしよう。
Let's pinky promise.
子供の頃、よく指切りをした。
When I was a child, I often made pinky promises.
The first part of the traditional pinky promise rhyme. It is often recited while hooking pinkies.
「指切りげんまん、嘘ついたら針千本飲ます」と子供たちが言った。
The children said, 'Pinky promise, if you lie, you'll swallow a thousand needles.'
The full traditional rhyme. It means 'Pinky promise, if you lie, you'll swallow a thousand needles.' Used mostly by children.
彼女は笑いながら「指切りげんまん、嘘ついたら針千本飲ます」と言った。
She laughed and said, 'Pinky promise, if you lie, you'll swallow a thousand needles.'
In everyday adult conversation, simply saying 約束 (yakusoku, promise) while doing the pinky gesture is natural. The word 指切り is childish.
じゃあ、約束ね。
Okay, it's a promise. (while hooking pinkies)
To make a lighthearted, non-binding promise, often with a playful tone.
Even without the full rhyme, saying just 指切りげんまん while hooking pinkies conveys a playful promise.
「明日必ず返すよ。指切りげんまん！」と彼は言った。
'I'll definitely return it tomorrow. Pinky promise!' he said.
Adults may just say 約束 (yakusoku) with a playful tone and the pinky gesture to convey the same feeling without sounding childish.
約束だよ。指切り。
It's a promise. Pinky promise.
指切り is strongly associated with children. Using it in serious adult contexts may sound immature or joking. For serious promises, use 約束 (yakusoku) or 誓い (chikai).
The pinky hooking gesture is universally understood in Japan. You can simply do the gesture and say 約束 (yakusoku) to convey a pinky promise without using the word 指切り.