指(ゆび)しゃぶり

ゆびしゃぶり
noun
thumb sucking; finger sucking
daily-life
1. thumb sucking; finger sucking
The habit of sucking one's thumb or fingers, typically seen in infants and young children. Often discussed in parenting and pediatric contexts.
赤(あか)ちゃんが指(ゆび)しゃぶりをしている。
The baby is sucking its thumb.
三歳(さんさい)になっても指(ゆび)しゃぶりが治(なお)らない。
The thumb sucking hasn't stopped even at age three.
歯並(はなら)びへの影響(えいきょう)が心配(しんぱい)なので、そろそろ指(ゆび)しゃぶりを卒業(そつぎょう)させたい。
I'm worried about the effect on her teeth, so I'd like to wean her off thumb sucking soon.

Composed of 指(ゆび) (finger) and しゃぶり (the noun form of しゃぶる, to suck). The verb しゃぶる is onomatopoeic, evoking the sucking sound. While primarily associated with babies and toddlers, the word also appears in discussions about child development and dental health.

Common collocations

  • 指(ゆび)しゃぶりをする: to suck one's thumb
  • 指(ゆび)しゃぶりをやめる: to stop thumb sucking
  • 指(ゆび)しゃぶりの癖(くせ): the habit of thumb sucking

Usage

指(ゆび)しゃぶりを卒業(そつぎょう)する (to graduate from thumb sucking) is a common gentle expression parents use when encouraging children to outgrow the habit.

Similar words

  • おしゃぶり: pacifier — an object given to babies as a substitute for thumb sucking
  • 爪(つめ)噛(か)み: nail biting — another childhood habit that parents try to break
general
Added 2026.5.2 21:18 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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