Definitions

zhǐ (verb) to point at; to indicate
zhǐ (noun) finger
zhǐ (verb) to refer to
zhǐ (verb) to depend on; to count on

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

About

The character 指 is a phono-semantic compound, with the hand radical 扌 (shǒu) on the left indicating its semantic connection to manual action, and 旨 (zhǐ) on the right providing the pronunciation. Its core meaning is a finger or toe. From this physical sense, the character extended to denote actions performed with a finger, such as to point at, to indicate, to refer to, or to guide.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他的手很长。

Tā de shǒuzhǐ hěn cháng.

His fingers are very long.

请按照示操作。

Qǐng ànzhào zhǐshì cāozuò.

Please operate according to the instructions.

老师导我们学习。

Lǎoshī zhǐdǎo wǒmen xuéxí.

The teacher guides us in our studies.

出了我的错误。

Tā zhǐchūle wǒ de cuòwù.

He pointed out my mistake.

会议定在明天举行。

Huìyì zhǐdìng zài míngtiān jǔxíng.

The meeting is specified to be held tomorrow.

他不应该责别人。

Tā bù yīnggāi zhǐzé biérén.

He should not blame others.

将军挥士兵们战斗。

Jiāngjūn zhǐhuī shìbīngmen zhàndòu.

The general commanded the soldiers to fight.

公司完成了年度经济标。

Gōngsī wánchéngle niándù jīngjì zhǐbiāo.

The company completed the annual economic targets.