指
finger · point to · indicate · put into · play (chess) · measure (ruler)
Details
Stroke Order
Cultural Context
Etymology
Composed of hand and purport. Hand showing intent.
Symbolism
Guidance, instruction, finger. Represents pointing.
Related Culture & Scenes
- — Cat relaxing
Component Breakdown
hand + 旨
Words & Expressions
Words written with 指
Four-Character Compounds
陣頭指揮
じんとうしき
taking command of a corps in a battle; command exercised by the leader of a group
Proverbs & Idioms
指をくわえて見る
ゆびをくわえてみる
To watch with fingers in mouth
Looking on enviously without participating
Anime & Manga
結婚指輪物語
Tales of Wedding Rings
A well-known work with 指 in its Japanese title.
Aランクパーティを離脱した俺は、元教え子たちと迷宮深部を目指す。
I Left My A-Rank Party to Help My Former Students Reach the Dungeon Depths!
A well-known work with 指 in its Japanese title.
味方が弱すぎて補助魔法に徹していた宮廷魔法師、追放されて最強を目指す
The Banished Court Magician Aims to Become the Strongest
A well-known work with 指 in its Japanese title.
目覚めたら最強装備と宇宙船持ちだったので、一戸建て目指して傭兵として自由に生きたい
Reborn as a Space Mercenary: I Woke Up Piloting the Strongest Starship!
A well-known work with 指 in its Japanese title.
転生したらドラゴンの卵だった ~最強以外目指さねぇ~
Reincarnated as a Dragon Hatchling
A well-known work with 指 in its Japanese title.
Other kanji with the same meaning
“indicate”
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 指 mean in Japanese?
指 means finger, point to, indicate, put into, play (chess), measure (ruler).
How do you read 指?
On'yomi: シ (SHI). Kun'yomi: ゆび、さ.す、-さ.し (yubi, sasu, sashi).
How many strokes does 指 have?
指 has 9 strokes. Its radical is 手 (hand).
Is 指 a good kanji for a tattoo?
指 is one of the kanji most often chosen for tattoos. It means finger, point to, indicate, put into, play (chess), measure (ruler). Read the full meaning and cultural background on this page first — some popular choices are deliberately dark.
Explore by meaning:indicate