食指 (shí zhǐ) — index finger, forefinger; figuratively, number… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

Literal meaning: the index finger (the one next to the thumb). In the set phrase 食指浩繁 it figuratively means 'mouths to feed' in a family.

noun

index fingerforefingerfigurativelynumber of dependents to feed (in a family, in phrases like 食指浩繁)

Measure word · 根

Examples

食指。
Tā yòng shí zhǐ zhǐ zhe dì tú shàng de běi jīng.
He used his index finger to point at Beijing on the map.
食指，。
Jiā zhōng shí zhǐ hào fán, tā bù dé bù xīn kǔ gōng zuò.
With many mouths to feed at home, he has to work hard.
食指。
shí zhǐ Shì shǒu bù zuì líng huó de zhǐ tou zhī yī.
The index finger is one of the most dexterous fingers on the hand.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

食shíeat/food

“食” (eat) and “指” (finger) name the finger used in eating or pointing.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

亼亼jímouth
皀皀jía bowl of rice on a stand

The form behind 食 shows 亼, a mouth, together with 皀, a bowl of rice on a stand. In modern 食, the bowl part has changed shape.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

扌旨指

Meaning part形符xíngfú

扌Written in full as手shǒu

Sound part声符shēngfú

旨

旨zhǐ指zhǐ

Same sound today

The left part 扌 is the hand form 手. The right part 旨 gives the sound.

Appears in

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