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指头 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
指头zhǐtoufingerHSK 6, unknown, 14 strokes, rank #10641, Hard
指头zhǐtoutoeHSK 6, unknown, 14 strokes, rank #10641, Hard
zhǐtou(zhi3tou5)zhi tou T3
  1. 1finger
  2. 2toe
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March 24, 2026

指头(指頭)zhǐtou(zhi3tou5)

指头 refers to a finger or toe in Mandarin. It's a versatile term commonly used in everyday conversation, especially when counting digits or discussing body parts. While both meanings are accepted, the context usually clarifies whether one is referring to hands or feet.

Strokes14Frequency#10641DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, fingers and toes can symbolize various things, including luck and skill in traditional practices like calligraphy or martial arts, where dexterity is highly valued. The careful use of hands in art forms is a point of pride.

Memory Tip

Think of '指' (zhi3) as a hand pointing, and '头' (tou5) as a head. Imagine a hand with fingers pointing at something, emphasizing the digits on your hands or toes. This imagery connects the form of the characters to their meaning and pronunciation.

Meanings of 指头

zhǐtou(zhi3tou5)
1finger
2toe
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About 指头

指头Simplified
指頭Traditional
14Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 指头

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Podcast: 指头

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AI Study Notes for 指头

Quick Contrast

手指 (shǒuzhǐ) - specifically refers to a finger on the hand, while 指头 (zhǐtou) can refer to both fingers and toes.

Usage Notes

Be cautious when using 指头 in formal contexts, as it is more colloquial. In medical or formal discussions, you might prefer 手指 (shǒuzhǐ) for fingers or 足趾 (zúzhǐ) for toes. Remember to pronounce the tones correctly: 指头 is pronounced with the third tone followed by the neutral tone.

HSK Study Tips

指头 is not currently included in HSK vocabulary lists but connects to other body part terms like 手 (shǒu - hand) and 脚 (jiǎo - foot) that are found in HSK levels 1 and 2. Focus on recognizing the components of body part vocabulary as they often follow similar patterns.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 指头 with 手指, using it in formal contexts where the latter is more appropriate. For example, saying '我痛了我的指头' (Wǒ tòngle wǒ de zhǐtóu - My finger hurts) may be correct, but in a doctor's office, it's better to say '我的手指痛' (Wǒ de shǒuzhǐ tòng).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 指头

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Component Characters

指zhǐfinger
HSK 49 strokes扌
View full entry
头tóuhead
HSK 25 strokes大
View full entry

How to say finger in Chinese

“finger” in Chinese is指头zhǐtou

指头 refers to a finger or toe in Mandarin. It's a versatile term commonly used in everyday conversation, especially when counting digits or discussing body parts. While both meanings are accepted, the context usually clarifies whether one is referring to hands or feet.

When to use 指头

Be cautious when using 指头 in formal contexts, as it is more colloquial. In medical or formal discussions, you might prefer 手指 (shǒuzhǐ) for fingers or 足趾 (zúzhǐ) for toes. Remember to pronounce the tones correctly: 指头 is pronounced with the third tone followed by the neutral tone.

指头 or something close to it

手指 (shǒuzhǐ) - specifically refers to a finger on the hand, while 指头 (zhǐtou) can refer to both fingers and toes.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 指头 with 手指, using it in formal contexts where the latter is more appropriate. For example, saying '我痛了我的指头' (Wǒ tòngle wǒ de zhǐtóu - My finger hurts) may be correct, but in a doctor's office, it's better to say '我的手指痛' (Wǒ de shǒuzhǐ tòng).

Write 指头

指
头

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Frequently Asked Questions about 指头

指头 is more casual and can refer to fingers or toes, while 手指 specifically means fingers.

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