つま先
tsumasaki
The English phrase "toes" can be translated into Japanese as つま先 (tsumasaki).
つま先 is often used to refer to the tips or the very front of the toes. In many contexts, such as when discussing the feeling of temperature or the fit of shoes, it refers more to the frontmost part of the foot rather than the individual digits themselves. Another way to refer to the digits on the foot is 足の指, which literally translates to "finger of the foot".
Which one should you use?
Additionally, the written form 爪先 is used to specifically mean the tips or ends of the toes.
How do you pronounce it?
tsumasaki
Did you know?
- The word つま先 contains the character for 'nail' (爪), suggesting that the concept of a 'toe' is linguistically linked to the toenail rather than the digit itself.
- When describing the act of standing on your toes, Japanese uses the phrase つま先立ち, which treats the 'toe-tip' as a specific state of balance.
- If you are describing the sensation of cold, a Japanese speaker might use 足先 (ashisaki) instead of つま先, shifting the focus from the digits to the very end of the leg.
Examples in context
- つま先の感覚がない。I can't feel my toes.This sentence is useful for expressing a lack of sensation in your つま先.Tatoeba #8764388 by small_snow, translation #1951596 by CK
- つま先が凍えちゃう。My toes are freezing.This sentence is useful for describing the sensation of your つま先 freezing.Tatoeba #11046772 by small_snow, translation #3793302 by Hybrid
- 指やつま先の感覚がない。I can't feel my fingers or my toes.This sentence is useful for expressing that you cannot feel both your fingers and your つま先.Tatoeba #8764389 by small_snow, translation #1951595 by CK
- 先生、足の指が痛いです。Teacher, my toes hurt.
- 絵に描かれた女性の爪先には、紅色の薔薇がありました。On the tip of the painted woman's toes, there was a red rose.
- 目が合って友達につま先を踏まれちゃった。Our eyes met, and my friend accidentally stepped on my toes.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Himari are trying on shoes at a store.
- 健太 Kentaこの靴、つま先が少しきついです。Kono kutsu, tsumasaki ga sukoshi kitsui desu.These shoes are a bit tight on my toes.
- 陽葵 Himari別のサイズを試してみたら？Betsu no saizu o tameshitemitara?Why don't you try a different size?
- 健太 Kentaそうします。つま先が当たって痛いです。Sou shimasu. Tsumasaki ga atatte itai desu.I'll do that. My toes are hitting the front and it hurts.
- 陽葵 Himari店員さんに聞いてみよう。Ten-in san ni kiite miyou.Let's ask the clerk.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
