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.
薬指に指輪をしている。
She's wearing a ring on her ring finger.
左手の薬指に結婚指輪をはめた。
I put a wedding ring on my left ring finger.
ギターを弾くとき、薬指が思うように動かなくて苦労した。
When playing guitar, I struggled because my ring finger wouldn't move the way I wanted.
ETYMOLOGY:
The name 薬指 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:
- 薬指に指輪をはめる (to put a ring on one's ring finger)
- 左手の薬指 (left ring finger — where wedding rings are worn)
- 右手の薬指 (right ring finger)
RELATED WORDS:
The five fingers in order: 親指 (thumb), 人差し指 (index finger), 中指 (middle finger), 薬指 (ring finger), 小指 (little finger/pinky).