つまみ

Computing term corresponding to a handle, especially a file handle. In current technical writing, the loanword ハンドル is often clearer, so this use may feel translation-like.

その資し料りょうでは、開ひらいたファイルを識しき別べつする値あたいを「ファイルのつまみ」と呼よんでいる。
In that document, the value that identifies an open file is called a “file handle.”

noun, noun, used as a suffix

picking; plucking; harvesting

Only when written 摘み / 摘まみ

Nominal or compound use connected with picking or plucking by hand. As a standalone everyday word, this is much less immediately familiar than the knob or snack senses.

熟じゅくした実みの摘つまみ取とりは、朝あさのうちに行おこなう。
The ripe fruit is picked in the morning.

Usage patterns

〈物もの〉のつまみを回まわすto turn the knob/dial of something
ラジオのつまみを回まわして音おん量りょうを調ちょう整せいした。
I turned the radio's knob to adjust the volume.
酒さけのつまみにするto have something as a snack to go with alcohol
これはお酒さけのつまみによく合あう。
This goes really well as a snack with sake.
〈物もの〉のつまみを引ひくto pull the knob/handle of something
引ひき出だしのつまみを引ひいて開あけた。
I pulled the drawer's knob to open it.
〈物もの〉をつまみに飲のむto drink alcohol while having something as a snack
チーズをつまみにビールを飲のんだ。
I drank beer with cheese as a snack.

Kanji

摘pinch, pick, pluck
撮snapshot, take pictures
抓pick, pinch, summarize

Related words

取とっ手てN1sense 1
取っ手 is a larger handle meant for gripping or pulling, while つまみ is typically a small knob or grip turned or pinched with the fingers.
肴さかな sense 2
肴 is a more literary or traditional word for food served with alcohol, while つまみ is the everyday, casual word for bar snacks or small dishes eaten with drinks.
ダイヤルN2
ダイヤル refers to a rotating dial (as on a phone, radio, or lock), while つまみ is the more general word for any knob you turn or pull, including but not limited to dials.
狩かり
摘み refers specifically to picking by hand, like leaves or flowers, while 狩り is the broader suffix used for named picking outings such as いちご狩り.

Don't confuse with

妻つまN5
つまみ specifically means a snack eaten with alcohol, while 妻（つま）as an accompaniment is broader and also covers the sashimi garnish sense.
掴つかみ
摘み (つまみ, a pinch or snack/knob) is written with a visually similar kanji but reads differently and means something quite distinct from 掴み (つかみ, a grip or grasp).

Counted with

個こN5
counter for small objects; counter for pieces · counter for military units · individual; one person · counter for years of age difference; counter for school years

Word family

おつまみ
snack to have with a drink; side dish
つまみもの
snack to have with a drink; side dish

Written forms

つまみUsage80%
Kana is the normal practical spelling for the everyday senses: a knob or handle, a snack with drinks, and a pinch of something.
摘つまみUsage11%
Attested kanji form. It is especially useful where the meaning is connected with pinching, plucking, picking, or harvesting; the everyday snack and knob senses are often written in kana.
ツマミUsage9%
撮つまみUsage<1%
Rare attested variant associated with taking or pinching between the fingers. Avoid as the normal spelling for snacks or harvesting.
摘つまみ
Kanji-kana spelling that makes the connection with 摘まむ clear. Less common than plain kana in ordinary writing.
抓つまみ
Rare attested variant using 抓, a kanji for pinching or grasping. Kana is much safer for general use.

Etymology

Derived as a noun from the action of つまむ, meaning to pinch, pick up, or hold between the fingers. The kanji spellings are conventional ways to represent that pinching or picking idea; the exact historical development of each variant is uncertain.

Meanings

noun

knob; handle; control button

usually written using kana alone

A small part that is pinched, turned, pulled, or held with the fingers, such as a control knob or the knob on a lid.

ラジオのつまみを回まわして音おん量りょうを下さげた。
I turned the radio knob and lowered the volume.
鍋なべのふたのつまみが熱あつくなっている。
The knob on the pot lid has gotten hot.

noun

snack with drinks; bar snack; side dish

usually written using kana alone

Usually something eaten with alcohol. おつまみ is a very common polite or menu-like form, but plain つまみ is also ordinary.

ビールのつまみに枝えだ豆まめを頼たのんだ。
We ordered edamame as a snack with our beer.
この店みせはつまみが安やすくてうまい。
This place has cheap, tasty bar snacks.

suffix

a pinch of

usually written using kana alone

Used in quantity expressions, especially ひとつまみ, for an amount that can be pinched between the fingers.

塩しおをひとつまみ加くわえて、味あじを調ととのえる。
Add a pinch of salt and adjust the flavor.

noun

file handle; handle

computing

Computing term corresponding to a handle, especially a file handle. In current technical writing, the loanword ハンドル is often clearer, so this use may feel translation-like.

その資し料りょうでは、開ひらいたファイルを識しき別べつする値あたいを「ファイルのつまみ」と呼よんでいる。
In that document, the value that identifies an open file is called a “file handle.”

noun, noun, used as a suffix

picking; plucking; harvesting

Only when written 摘み / 摘まみ

Nominal or compound use connected with picking or plucking by hand. As a standalone everyday word, this is much less immediately familiar than the knob or snack senses.

熟じゅくした実みの摘つまみ取とりは、朝あさのうちに行おこなう。
The ripe fruit is picked in the morning.

Usage patterns

〈物もの〉のつまみを回まわすto turn the knob/dial of something

ラジオのつまみを回まわして音おん量りょうを調ちょう整せいした。

I turned the radio's knob to adjust the volume.

酒さけのつまみにするto have something as a snack to go with alcohol

これはお酒さけのつまみによく合あう。

This goes really well as a snack with sake.

〈物もの〉のつまみを引ひくto pull the knob/handle of something

引ひき出だしのつまみを引ひいて開あけた。

I pulled the drawer's knob to open it.

〈物もの〉をつまみに飲のむto drink alcohol while having something as a snack

チーズをつまみにビールを飲のんだ。

I drank beer with cheese as a snack.

Related words

取とっ手てN1sense 1

取っ手 is a larger handle meant for gripping or pulling, while つまみ is typically a small knob or grip turned or pinched with the fingers.

肴さかな sense 2

肴 is a more literary or traditional word for food served with alcohol, while つまみ is the everyday, casual word for bar snacks or small dishes eaten with drinks.

ダイヤルN2

ダイヤル refers to a rotating dial (as on a phone, radio, or lock), while つまみ is the more general word for any knob you turn or pull, including but not limited to dials.

狩かり

摘み refers specifically to picking by hand, like leaves or flowers, while 狩り is the broader suffix used for named picking outings such as いちご狩り.

Don't confuse with

妻つまN5

つまみ specifically means a snack eaten with alcohol, while 妻（つま）as an accompaniment is broader and also covers the sashimi garnish sense.

掴つかみ

摘み (つまみ, a pinch or snack/knob) is written with a visually similar kanji but reads differently and means something quite distinct from 掴み (つかみ, a grip or grasp).

Written forms

つまみUsage80%

Kana is the normal practical spelling for the everyday senses: a knob or handle, a snack with drinks, and a pinch of something.

摘つまみUsage11%

Attested kanji form. It is especially useful where the meaning is connected with pinching, plucking, picking, or harvesting; the everyday snack and knob senses are often written in kana.

ツマミUsage9%

撮つまみUsage<1%

Rare attested variant associated with taking or pinching between the fingers. Avoid as the normal spelling for snacks or harvesting.

摘つまみ

Kanji-kana spelling that makes the connection with 摘まむ clear. Less common than plain kana in ordinary writing.

抓つまみ

Rare attested variant using 抓, a kanji for pinching or grasping. Kana is much safer for general use.