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指先 (ゆびさき, yubisaki) Japanese meaning: fingertip | Kotomora

指ゆび先さき

ゆ

び

さ

き

Common word›JLPTN5›Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

1

noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

fingertip; finger

Most commonly refers to the tip of a finger on the hand, especially as used for touching, feeling, delicate movement, or gestures.

指ゆび先さきでそっと画が面めんに触ふれた。

I gently touched the screen with my fingertip.

冬ふゆは指ゆび先さきがすぐ冷つめたくなる。

In winter my fingertips get cold quickly.

2

noun, noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'

toe tip; toe

For toes, 足の指先 is the clearest wording. 指 can refer to toes when the foot context is explicit.

靴くつがきつくて足あしの指ゆび先さきが痛いたい。
My toe tips hurt because my shoes are tight.
足あしの指ゆび先さきまでしびれている。
I feel numb all the way to the tips of my toes.

Usage patterns

指ゆび先さきで〈物もの〉を触さわるto touch something with one's fingertips
指ゆび先さきで表ひょう面めんをそっと触さわった。
I gently touched the surface with my fingertips.
足あしの指ゆび先さきを動うごかすto move the tips of one's toes
足あしの指ゆび先さきを動うごかして血けっ行こうを良よくした。
I wiggled my toes to improve circulation.
指ゆび先さきが冷つめたいone's fingertips are cold
寒さむくて指ゆび先さきが冷つめたくなった。
It was so cold that my fingertips went numb.
指ゆび先さきを使つかうto use one's fingertips (for delicate work)
この作さ業ぎょうには指ゆび先さきを使つかう細こまかい動うごきが必ひつ要ようだ。
This task requires fine movements using your fingertips.
指ゆび先さきに力ちからを入いれるto put strength into one's fingertips
指ゆび先さきに力ちからを入いれてボタンを押おした。
I pressed the button firmly with my fingertips.

Kanji

指finger, point to, indicate
先before, ahead, previous

Related words

指ゆびN5sense 1
指先 refers specifically to the tip of a finger, while 指 refers to the whole finger or toe.
つま先さきN2sense 2
指先 (in the sense of toes) needs 足の指先 to be clear, while つま先 directly means the tip of the foot or toe area.
手て先さき
指先 refers specifically to the very tip of a finger, while 手先 more broadly covers the fingers or the dexterity of the hand.

Don't confuse with

手て先さき sense 1
指先 is the physical tip of a finger, while 手先 broadly means the hands/fingers as tools for manual work or skill.

Counted with

本ほんN5
book; volume; script · this; present; current; in question · main; head; principal · real; genuine; regular; proper · counter for long cylindrical objects; counter for films, TV shows, etc.; counter for goals, home runs, etc.; counter for telephone calls

Built from

指ゆび+先さき

Etymology

A transparent compound of 指, meaning finger or toe, and 先, meaning tip, end, or point.