ชี้
point at
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- 1 point at
- 2 point out、indicate、identify
- 3 sticking out、standing up
This word centers on directing attention toward a particular person, object, direction, or fact. It can describe physically pointing at something, as well as indicating, identifying, or pointing out information.
point at
To direct a finger, hand, stick, or similar object toward something so that another person notices it.
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ช่วยชี้ให้ดูหน่อย chûay chíi hây duu nɔ̀ɔy Could you point it out for me? ช่วยชี้ให้ดูหน่อย details
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อย่าชี้นิ้วใส่คนอื่น yàa chíi níw sày khon ʉ̀ʉn Don't point your finger at other people. อย่าชี้นิ้วใส่คนอื่น details
point out、indicate、identify
To draw attention to a fact, issue, or person, or to indicate a conclusion supported by evidence, results, or other information.
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พยานชี้ตัวผู้ต้องสงสัย phayaan chíi tua phûu tɔ̂ŋ sǒŋsǎy The witness identified the suspect. พยานชี้ตัวผู้ต้องสงสัย details
sticking out、standing up
Describes hair, ears, or the end of an object as sticking out or pointing in a particular direction.
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ผมชี้ฟู phǒm chíi fuu My hair is frizzy. ผมชี้ฟู details
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หูชี้ hǔu chíi The ears stick out. หูชี้ details
Learning notes
Explanation
The central image is that of directing attention toward a particular point or direction. For physical pointing, ชี้ไปที่ followed by an object means “point toward/at something.” ชี้ทาง extends this idea to showing someone the way or giving directions. Abstract uses are also very common. ชี้ให้เห็น introduces something being pointed out or brought to attention. In the pattern “evidence/result + ชี้ว่า + clause,” the word means that the evidence or result indicates a conclusion. This construction is especially common in news reports, research, and analytical writing. ชี้ตัว is used when identifying a person, while ชี้ชื่อ is used when naming a particular person. The word can also describe hair, ears, or an end sticking out in a direction, as in ผมชี้. It does not normally mean simply “sharp-pointed”; แหลม is used when the shape of the tip itself is sharp.
Usage
It is used when pointing out an item in a store, showing a location or direction, identifying a person, or drawing attention to an error. It is also frequent in news and formal reports when discussing what research, figures, or evidence indicates.
Caution
Pointing directly at a person's face or body can seem rude or confrontational. In particular, ชี้นิ้วใส่คน suggests pointing an accusing or threatening finger at someone. For the meaning “advise,” Thai normally uses the compound ชี้แนะ rather than ชี้ by itself.
Differences from similar words
1 point at synonyms
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บอก usually means to tell someone something verbally. ชี้ focuses on directing attention to a visible object or direction, often by physically pointing.
2 point out synonyms
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บ่งบอก often describes a sign or feature that reveals something indirectly. ชี้ can indicate a clearer conclusion and can also describe a person explicitly pointing out an issue.
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แสดง broadly means to show, display, or express something. ชี้ more specifically directs attention to a particular point, fact, or conclusion.
3 sticking out synonyms
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แหลม describes a tip as sharp or pointed in shape. ชี้ focuses on something projecting or sticking out in a particular direction.