指ゆび差さす

ゆ

び

さ

す

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

指差す · godan verb (-su)

Meanings

godan verb (-su), transitive verb

point at; point to

Used when extending a finger toward a person, object, or direction. Can be literal or figurative (e.g., pointing out a problem).

〈人ひと〉を指ゆび差さして笑わらうto point at someone and laugh (often mockingly)
クラスの子こ供どもたちが彼かれを指ゆび差さして笑わらった。
The kids in the class pointed at him and laughed.
〈場ば所しょ〉を指ゆび差さして道みちを教おしえるto point toward a place while giving directions
駅えき員いんはホームの方ほうを指ゆび差さして道みちを教おしえてくれた。
The station attendant pointed toward the platform to show me the way.

指さすN3
指す is a broader verb for 'to point' or 'to indicate' that can be used more abstractly, while 指差す specifically emphasizes physically extending a finger to point.
示しめすN3
示す means 'to show/indicate' in a general sense (including data, evidence, or gestures), whereas 指差す is limited to the specific act of pointing with a finger.

差さすN5
差す shares a kanji and sound with 指差す but means 'to insert, hold up (an umbrella), or shine (light)', not 'to point'.
指さし示しめす
指差す refers specifically to physically pointing with a finger, while 指し示す can also indicate an abstract direction, fact, or intention without a literal gesture.

指ゆび差さすUsage28%
Standard kanji spelling; the most common written form.
指ゆびさすUsage69%
Common variant with okurigana さす instead of 差す.
ゆびさすUsage3%
指ゆび指さす
rarely-used kanji form
Rarely used kanji form; the repetition of 指 is unusual in modern writing.

Compound of 指 (yubi, 'finger') + 差す (sasu, 'to point'). The kanji 差す contributes the meaning of directing or extending something forward.