1.
to point at, to indicate with one's finger
To extend one's finger toward a person, object, or direction to indicate it. Can also be used figuratively to mean singling someone out for criticism.
地図を指さして説明した。
I pointed at the map and explained.
子供が空の虹を指さした。
The child pointed at the rainbow in the sky.
人を指さすのは失礼だと言われている。
It is said to be rude to point at people.
USAGE:
Also written as 指差す or 指を差す. In Japanese culture, pointing directly at a person is considered impolite, so the expression 人を指さす often carries a negative nuance, implying singling someone out or publicly criticizing them.
CONJUGATION:
Godan verb (五段動詞), す-ending.
- Negative: 指ささない
- Polite: 指さします
- Te-form: 指さして
- Past: 指さした
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 人を指さす: to point at a person (often negative)
- 方向を指さす: to point in a direction
- 後ろ指をさされる: to be talked about behind one's back (set expression)