爪
Meanings
Refers to the hard covering at the end of fingers, toes, or animal digits. Covers fingernails, toenails, claws, talons, and hooves depending on the creature.
I forgot to cut my nails.
The cat is sharpening its claws.
A small flat tool used to pluck or strum strings of instruments like the shamisen or guitar. Often made of ivory, plastic, or tortoiseshell.
When playing the shamisen, you put a plectrum on your finger.
A small curved or pointed fastener used on clothing, bags, or accessories. Often seen in compound words like ホック爪.
The fastener on this bag is the type that catches with a small hook.
Usage patterns
- 爪を切るto cut/trim one's nails
I trim my nails every Sunday.
- 爪で弾くto pluck (strings) with a pick/plectrum
She plucks the shamisen with a plectrum.
- 爪が伸びるfor one's nails to grow long
My nails have gotten long since I haven't cut them in a while.
- 爪を立てるto dig one's nails/claws into something
The cat, startled, dug its claws into his arm.
- 〈動物〉が爪でひっかくfor an animal to scratch with its claws
The dog is scratching at the door with its claws.