Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| auriculaire | /o.ʁi.ky.lɛʁ/ /ɔ.ʁi.ky.lɛʁ/ |
masculine |
| petit doigt | /pə.ti dwa/ | masculine |
The term refers to the outermost and smallest finger of the hand.
What does it mean word for word?
The common term petit doigt is a literal translation of 'little finger', where petit means 'little' and doigt means 'finger'.
Which one should you use?
Auriculaire is the technical or anatomical term, whereas petit doigt is the common, everyday term.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Auriculaire is the formal term and is commonly used in medical contexts. Petit doigt is the informal, everyday version.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because auriculaire begins with a vowel, the definite article le becomes l’ in the phrase l’auriculaire. When talking about body parts in French, it is more natural to use the definite article (le/la) rather than a possessive adjective if the owner is already clear from the context.
How do you pronounce it?
4 syllables: /o.ʁi.ky.lɛʁ/
Did you know?
- While auriculaire is the anatomical term, the word's Latin origin 'auricula' is actually the diminutive of 'auris', meaning 'ear'.
- The word doigt contains a silent 'g' that was added centuries ago simply to make the word look different from the French word doit, meaning 'must'.
- French has a specific verb doigter used in music to describe the precise sequence of fingers used to play a piece on a piano or flute.
Examples in context
- Mon petit doigt est enflé.My little finger is swollen.This sentence shows the use of the phrase to describe a swollen finger.Tatoeba #128460 by dominiko, translation #267600 by CK
- Je me suis coupé le petit doigt en épluchant des patates.I cut my little finger peeling potatoes.This sentence describes an injury sustained while peeling potatoes.Tatoeba #10246984 by lbdx, translation #2649664 by sharptoothed
- J'avais à me faire vacciner contre le tétanos après m'être coupé le petit doigt avec le tranchant cranté d'un couteau à beurre.I had to get a tetanus shot after slicing my little finger with the serrated edge of a butter knife.This sentence explains a medical situation involving a cut from a butter knife.Tatoeba #10251300 by Rovo, translation #10250825 by bekindtoall
- Le médecin m'a demandé de plier mon auriculaire pour vérifier la flexibilité.The doctor asked me to bend my little finger to check its flexibility.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma is showing Gabriel a ring on her hand.
- GabrielC'est une jolie bague, Emma.That is a pretty ring, Emma.
- EmmaMerci, elle est sur mon auriculaire.Thank you, it is on my little finger.
- GabrielElle va très bien avec ton style.It goes very well with your style.
- EmmaMerci, Gabriel, c'est gentil.Thank you, Gabriel, that is kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “little finger” translations and entries auriculaire, petit doigt, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries auriculaire, doigt, petit, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
