noun
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して音量を下げた。
I turned the radio knob and lowered the volume.
鍋のふたのつまみが熱くなっている。
The knob on the pot lid has gotten hot.
noun
snack with drinks; bar snack; side dish
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豆を頼んだ。
We ordered edamame as a snack with our beer.
この店はつまみが安くてうまい。
This place has cheap, tasty bar snacks.
suffix
a pinch of
Used in quantity expressions, especially ひとつまみ, for an amount that can be pinched between the fingers.
塩をひとつまみ加えて、味を調える。
Add a pinch of salt and adjust the flavor.
noun
file handle; handle
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.
その資料では、開いたファイルを識別する値を「ファイルのつまみ」と呼んでいる。
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.
熟した実のつまみ取りは、朝のうちに行う。
The ripe fruit is picked in the morning.
Rare attested variant associated with taking or pinching between the fingers. Avoid as the normal spelling for snacks or harvesting.
Kanji-kana spelling that makes the connection with 摘まむ clear. Less common than plain kana in ordinary writing.
Rare attested variant using 抓, a kanji for pinching or grasping. Kana is much safer for general use.
取っ手 is a larger handle for holding or pulling; つまみ is typically a small knob or grip turned or pinched with the fingers.
肴 is a more traditional word for food served with alcohol; つまみ is the everyday word for bar snacks or small dishes with drinks.
一つまみ is the common fixed quantity expression meaning one pinch; つまみ is the base form used in that expression.
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.