薬 指(くすりゆび)

くすりゆび

noun

ring finger

1. ring finger

The fourth finger, between the middle finger and the little finger. Called 薬指 ('medicine finger') because it was traditionally used to apply powdered medicine.

薬指(くすりゆび)に指輪(ゆびわ)をしている。

She's wearing a ring on her ring finger.

左手(ひだりて)の薬指(くすりゆび)に結婚指輪(けっこんゆびわ)をはめた。

I put a wedding ring on my left ring finger.

ギターを弾(ひ)くとき、薬指(くすりゆび)が思(おも)うように動(うご)かなくて苦労(くろう)した。

When playing guitar, I struggled because my ring finger wouldn't move the way I wanted.

Etymology

The name 薬指(くすりゆび) literally means 'medicine finger.' In traditional Japanese and Chinese medicine, this finger was used to apply and mix powdered medicines because it was believed to have a gentle touch.

Common collocations

薬指(くすりゆび)に指輪(ゆびわ)をはめる (to put a ring on one's ring finger)
左手(ひだりて)の薬指(くすりゆび) (left ring finger — where wedding rings are worn)
右手(みぎて)の薬指(くすりゆび) (right ring finger)

Related words

The five fingers in order: 親指(おやゆび) (thumb), 人(ひと)差(さ)し指(ゆび) (index finger), 中指(なかゆび) (middle finger), 薬指(くすりゆび) (ring finger), 小指(こゆび) (little finger/pinky).

Related Words

Related: 小指(こゆび) (little finger, pinky)

general

Added 2026.3.12 14:09 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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