拇指 (mǔzhǐ) means 'thumb' in English. It refers specifically to the short, thick digit on the hand that is opposable and plays a crucial role in grasping and manipulating objects. This term is commonly used in both everyday conversation and medical contexts.
HSK 7, 16 strokes, Hard
mǔzhǐ(mu3zhi3) T3
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May 27, 2026
拇指mǔzhǐ(mu3zhi3)
拇指 (mǔzhǐ) means 'thumb' in English. It refers specifically to the short, thick digit on the hand that is opposable and plays a crucial role in grasping and manipulating objects. This term is commonly used in both everyday conversation and medical contexts.
Strokes16Frequency#—DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the thumb is believed to represent the element of fire and is associated with vitality and strength, affecting overall health discussions in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Think of '拇' (mǔ) as the 'mighty' thumb, which is the strongest finger, while '指' (zhǐ) means 'finger.' Imagine a giant thumb giving a thumbs-up to remember that 拇指 is the thumb. Picture a thumb wrestling competition to highlight its importance.
About 拇指
拇指Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 拇指
Podcast: 拇指
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AI Study Notes for 拇指
Quick Contrast
食指 (shízhǐ) - use 拇指 when referring to the thumb specifically, while 食指 refers to the index finger.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of '拇' (mǔ) as the 'mighty' thumb, which is the strongest finger, while '指' (zhǐ) means 'finger.' Imagine a giant thumb giving a thumbs-up to remember that 拇指 is the thumb. Picture a thumb wrestling competition to highlight its importance.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 拇指 with other finger-related terms like 食指 (shízhǐ, index finger) or 中指 (zhōngzhǐ, middle finger). The term is informal and commonly used in everyday speech. Common collocations include 拇指的力量 (the strength of the thumb) and 拇指的动作 (the actions of the thumb).
HSK Study Tips
At HSK Level 7, focus on using 拇指 in complex sentences, perhaps in discussions about hand functions or activities requiring dexterity. Connect this vocabulary with related words like 手 (hand), 指 (finger), and 运动 (exercise) to enhance understanding.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the thumb is believed to represent the element of fire and is associated with vitality and strength, affecting overall health discussions in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly say 食指 (shízhǐ) instead of 拇指 when referring to the thumb. Remember that 食指 specifically means 'index finger,' so ensure you're using 拇指 when talking about the thumb.
AI-enhanced 2026-05-27
Pronunciation of 拇指
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Cultural Notes for 拇指
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese medicine, the thumb is believed to represent the element of fire and is associated with vitality and strength, affecting overall health discussions in Chinese culture.
Frequently Asked Questions about 拇指
Yes, in some contexts, 拇指 can be used in idiomatic expressions relating to strength or ability, often referring to one's capability to grasp or hold onto something.
It is pronounced as mǔzhǐ, with the third tone on 'mǔ' and the third tone on 'zhǐ'.
While 拇指 is acceptable in informal contexts, for formal writing or medical terminology, it's better to use the standard term for 'digit' (手指) to ensure clarity.
