小拇指
xiǎomǔzhǐ
The English phrase "pinky" is translated into Chinese as 小拇指 (xiǎomǔzhǐ).
The term refers to the smallest finger on the human hand.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 小拇指 is composed of 小 (small), 拇 (thumb/finger) and 指 (finger).
Which one should you use?
While 小拇指 is the most common term, 小指 is a shorter and more formal anatomical term for the pinky.
How do you pronounce it?
xiǎomǔzhǐ
Did you know?
- In some contexts, the 小拇指 is linked to the 'small intestine' meridian in acupuncture, meaning the finger is viewed as a gateway to internal organ health.
- In certain regional dialects, the pinky is sometimes referred to as the 尾指 (tail finger), treating the hand as a sequence that ends with a tail.
- The character 拇 in 小拇指 originally referred to the thumb. Over time, the term for the thumb was extended to describe the smallest finger as the 'small thumb'.
Examples in context
- 今天我摔伤了小指头。Today I injured my pinky finger.
- 我的戒指正好合适我的小指头。My ring fits perfectly on my pinky finger.
- 我的小拇指有点痛。Wǒ de xiǎomǔzhǐ yǒudiǎn tòng.My pinky hurts a little.
- 他用小拇指指着那本书。Tā yòng xiǎomǔzhǐ zhǐzhe nà běn shū.He pointed at that book with his pinky.
- 她的左手小拇指很细。Tā de zuǒshǒu xiǎomǔzhǐ hěn xì.Her left pinky is very thin.
Example conversation
Wei and Zihan are making a promise to each other.
- 伟 Wei我们拉小拇指勾勾。Wǒ men lā xiǎo mǔ zhǐ gōu gōu.Let's hook pinkies.
- 梓涵 Zihan好，我答应你。Hǎo, wǒ dā ying nǐ.Okay, I promise you.
- 伟 Wei梓涵，不能反悔哦。Zǐ hán, bù néng fǎn huǐ ó.Zihan, you can't go back on it.
- 梓涵 Zihan我知道，伟。Wǒ zhī dào, Wěi.I know, Wei.
