นิ้ว
finger
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 finger、toe
- 2 inch
- 3 [classifier for fingers and toes]
This is the basic word for a finger or toe. It also means “inch” and serves as the classifier used when counting fingers and toes.
finger、toe
Refers to a digit of the hand or foot. Add มือ “hand” or เท้า “foot” when the distinction needs to be clear.
-
นิ้วมือเรียวยาว níw mʉʉ riaw yaaw long, slender fingers นิ้วมือเรียวยาว details
-
ชี้ด้วยนิ้ว chíi dûay níw point with a finger ชี้ด้วยนิ้ว details
inch
Means “inch,” a unit used for dimensions such as length, diameter, and screen size. It follows a number.
-
โทรทัศน์ขนาด 55 นิ้ว thoorathát khanàat hâa sìp hâa níw a 55-inch television โทรทัศน์ขนาด 55 นิ้ว details
-
หน้าจอขนาด 6 นิ้ว nâa cɔɔ khanàat hòk níw a 6-inch screen หน้าจอขนาด 6 นิ้ว details
[classifier for fingers and toes]
Serves as the classifier for counting fingers and toes.
-
นิ้วมือสิบนิ้ว níw mʉʉ sìp níw ten fingers นิ้วมือสิบนิ้ว details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core meaning is a digit of the hand or foot. By itself, นิ้ว can mean either “finger” or “toe,” depending on context. Use นิ้วมือ for a finger and นิ้วเท้า for a toe when the distinction matters. It also appears in the names of individual fingers: นิ้วโป้ง “thumb,” นิ้วชี้ “index finger,” นิ้วกลาง “middle finger,” นิ้วนาง “ring finger,” and นิ้วก้อย “little finger.” นิ้ว is also the classifier used to count fingers and toes. When it follows a number expressing a dimension, it means “inch”; one นิ้ว equals 2.54 centimeters.
Usage
It is common in everyday talk about fingers and toes, including injuries, pointing, and fingerprints. It also appears frequently in product dimensions, such as television and phone screen sizes or pipe diameters measured in inches.
Caution
Unlike English “finger,” นิ้ว can also refer to a toe. Use นิ้วมือ or นิ้วเท้า when clarity is needed. After a number, it may either count digits or mean “inch,” so interpret it from the surrounding context.