指 Stroke Order — How to Write 指
指 is written in 9 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 扌, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
指 Radical and Character Components
指 is an ideographic compound. To point 旨 by hand 扌; 旨 also provides the pronunciation.
Radical: 扌 + 6 more strokes
指 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- zhǐ
Meanings of 指 in Chinese
1
zhǐ指
A digit of the hand or foot; finger; toe.
她的手指很修长，指甲也修剪得很整齐。
Her fingers are long and slender, and her nails are neatly trimmed.
Used as a classifier to denote the width of a finger, often describing a small amount or thickness.
这块木板厚约两指。
This piece of wood is about two fingers thick.
To point at or towards (with a finger or the tip of an object).
他指着远方的那座山。
He pointed at the mountain in the distance.
To point out, indicate, guide, direct, or accuse; often used in contexts of providing direction, correction, or making an accusation.
老师会指引我们找到解决问题的方法。
The teacher will guide us to find a solution to the problem.
To stand upright or bristle, often used in the idiom '发指' (fà zhǐ) to describe hair standing on end due to extreme anger or outrage.
他的贪婪行径，真是令人发指。
His greedy actions are truly outrageous.
to point at; to indicate; to refer to; to designate
请你指定一个负责人。
Please designate a person in charge.
Refers to '旨' (zhǐ), meaning purpose, aim, or gist.
此话有所指，并非随意而言。
These words have a specific purpose; they were not said casually.
Common Words and Phrases with 指
1
A compass, an instrument that uses a magnetic needle to indicate direction.
在野外迷路时，指北针可以帮助我们找到方向。
When lost in the wild, a compass can help us find our way.
2
An index, target, or standard.
我们公司的销售团队设定了清晰的业绩指标，以确保每个成员都能朝着共同的目标努力。
Our company's sales team has set clear performance metrics to ensure every member works towards common goals.
3
A very small flower pot, also known as a thumb pot, primarily used for sowing seeds and cultivating seedlings, such as orchid seeds.
园艺爱好者通常会选择指钵来播种珍稀兰花种子，以确保它们有最佳的生长环境。
Horticulture enthusiasts often choose finger pots to sow rare orchid seeds, ensuring they have the optimal growing environment.
4
To reprimand, denounce, or call someone by their name.
老师当众指斥了那个抄袭作业的学生。
The teacher publicly denounced the student who plagiarized homework.
5
to point out; to indicate; to show
老师指出了学生作业中的几个语法错误。
The teacher pointed out several grammatical errors in the student's homework.
6
To give incorrect directions or information.
请大家帮我指错，看看我的报告有什么问题。
Please help me point out any mistakes and see if there are any issues with my report.
7
To guide, direct, or instruct.
老师对我的学习提供了很多宝贵指导。
The teacher provided a lot of valuable guidance for my studies.
8
political instructor
指导员鼓励大家积极参与训练，共同进步
The instructor encouraged everyone to actively participate in training and make progress together.
9
To give advice or directions; to show how to do something.
老师耐心指点学生们完成实验报告。
The teacher patiently guided the students in completing their lab reports.
10
To designate or appoint for a specific purpose or position.
会议将在指定地点举行。
The meeting will be held at the designated location.
11
To scold one person while actually aiming at another; to criticize indirectly.
老板明明是对小王的工作不满意，却当着大家的面指冬瓜骂葫芦，批评了小李的粗心大意，让小王心里很不舒服。
The boss was clearly unhappy with Xiao Wang's work, but in front of everyone, he used the method of "pointing at the winter melon and scolding the gourd" by criticizing Xiao Li's carelessness, which made Xiao Wang feel very uncomfortable.
12
An engagement arranged by parents before the children are born.
我的祖父母就是指腹为婚，他们从小一起长大，感情很好。
My grandparents were betrothed before birth; they grew up together from childhood and had a very good relationship.
13
To direct or coerce a confession from a suspect; alternatively, for a witness to identify a suspect and provide evidence.
目击者在描述过程中指供出了关键的嫌疑特征。
During the description, the eyewitness identified the key characteristics of the suspect.
14
Finger painting (a traditional Chinese painting technique where the artist uses fingers, nails, or palm instead of a brush to create the artwork).
这位艺术家擅长指画，他的作品笔触独特，意境深远。
This artist is skilled at finger painting, and his works feature unique brushwork and profound artistic conception.
15
A finger ring.
她手上戴着一枚精致的钻石指环，在阳光下闪闪发光
She wore an exquisite diamond ring on her hand, sparkling in the sunlight.
16
To command, direct, or conduct; a commander or conductor.
他站在舞台中央，指挥着乐队演奏激昂的乐章。
He stood center stage, conducting the orchestra as they played a stirring movement.
More words with 指
- mú拇zhǐ指thumb
- rǎn染zhǐ指get involved (in sth improper), meddle
- bān搬zhǐ指thumb ring, archer's ring
- jǐ戟zhǐ指Point accusingly, Point aggressively
- wū诬zhǐ指false accusation, falsely accuse
- yáo遥zhǐ指point to the distance
- yí颐zhǐ指to signal with the chin, to beckon with the chin
- zán拶zhǐ指finger pressing, finger torture
- shí十èr二zhǐ指cháng肠duodenum
- zhǐ指dài代refer to, denote
- zhǐ指kòng控Accuse, Charge
- zhǐ指lìng令instruction, command
- zhí指yǐn引Guidance, Direction
- zhǐ指zé责accuse, blame
- bān扳zhǐ指ér儿thumb ring, archer's thumb ring
- jiè戒zhi指ring
- shóu手zhǐ指finger
- zhǐ指jia甲nail, fingernail
- zhǐ指jiān尖fingertip
- zhǐ指jiào教advise, guide
Idioms with 指
- zhǐ指bù不shèng胜qū屈too many to count
- zhǐ指diǎn点jiāng江shān山Discussing important national matters confidently
- zhǐ指dōng东dǎ打xī西feint east, attack west
- zhǐ指dōng东huà画xī西Beat around the bush
- zhǐ指dōng东mà骂xī西criticize indirectly
- zhǐ指huī挥ruò若dìng定command with perfect composure and precision
- zhǐ指jī鸡mà骂gǒu狗scold one to indirectly criticize another
- zhǐ指lù鹿wéi为mǎ马deliberately misrepresent facts
- zhǐ指míng名dào道xìng姓mention someone by name
- zhǐ指pò破mí迷tuán团clarify a mystery
- zhǐ指rì日gāo高shēng升soon to achieve rapid promotion
- zhǐ指rì日kě可dài待can be expected soon
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Open the tool →Questions about 指
What does 指 mean in Chinese?
指 (zhǐ) means “A digit of the hand or foot” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 指?
指 is pronounced zhǐ in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 指 have?
指 has 9 strokes.
How do you write 指?
指 is written in 9 strokes, starting from the radical 扌. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 指?
The radical of 指 is 扌, and 指 is an ideographic compound.
