Character breakdown
Study each Hanzi separately, then return to the complete word so pronunciation, meaning, and movement stay connected.
How to learn 拇指
Listen once without reading, repeat the pinyin with its tones, then write every character in sequence. Finally, recall the complete meaning instead of memorizing each character as an isolated translation.
When the word appears in a sentence, check whether its part of speech and meaning match the definition shown here. Chinese words can change nuance with context.
Words with the same characters
Compare how a familiar Hanzi changes meaning inside another word.
finger; to point at or to; to indicate or refer to; to depend on; to count on; (of hair) to stand on end
指出zhǐchūto indicate; to point out
手指shǒuzhǐfinger; CL:個|个[ge4],隻|只[zhi1]
指导zhǐdǎoto guide; to direct; to instruct; coach; trainer
戒指jièzhi(finger) ring
指定zhǐdìngto appoint; to assign; to indicate clearly and with certainty; designated