Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'forefinger'

English Word: forefinger

Key Russian Translations:

• указательный палец [ʊkɐˈzatʲɪlʲnɨj ˈpalʲɪts] - [Standard, Informal]

Frequency: Medium (commonly used in everyday conversations about anatomy or gestures, but not as frequent as basic body parts like "hand").

Difficulty: A2 (Elementary, as it involves basic vocabulary; suitable for beginners learning Russian body parts, with straightforward grammar).

Pronunciation (Russian):

указательный палец: [ʊkɐˈzatʲɪlʲnɨj ˈpalʲɪts]

Note on указательный палец: The stress falls on the third syllable of "указательный" ([zaˈtatʲɪlʲnɨj]), which can be tricky for English speakers due to the palatalized 't' sound. In fast speech, it may soften further.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The index finger on the hand (primary meaning).

Translation(s) & Context:

• указательный палец - Used in anatomical descriptions, everyday gestures, or instructions; common in both formal and informal contexts, such as medical discussions or casual conversations.

Usage Examples:

• Я указательным пальцем нажимаю кнопку на телефоне.

  I press the button on the phone with my forefinger.

• Дети часто показывают указательным пальцем на интересные вещи.

  Children often point at interesting things with their forefinger.

• Врачи используют указательный палец для проверки пульса.

  Doctors use the forefinger to check the pulse.

• Она жестом указательного пальца позвала меня ближе.

  She beckoned me closer with a gesture of her forefinger.

• Указательным пальцем он отметил важное место на карте.

  With his forefinger, he marked an important spot on the map.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

"указательный палец" is a noun phrase where "указательный" is an adjective and "палец" is a masculine noun. The adjective agrees with the noun in gender, number, and case. "Палец" follows the standard first declension pattern for masculine nouns ending in a consonant.

Note: The adjective "указательный" changes accordingly: e.g., in instrumental singular, it becomes "указательным" to agree with "пальцем". This phrase is regular and follows standard Russian inflection rules.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • индексный палец (less common, used in technical or anatomical contexts; implies a more precise, Western-influenced terminology)
  • первый палец (informal variant, but not exact; can imply the thumb in some regions)
• Antonyms: None directly applicable, as this is a specific body part term.

Related Phrases:

• показать пальцем - To point with the finger; often used to indicate something obvious or direct attention.
• указательный жест - A pointing gesture; refers to using the forefinger in nonverbal communication.
• палец на спусковом крючке - Finger on the trigger; a metaphorical phrase involving the forefinger in contexts like firearms or readiness.

Usage Notes:

In Russian, "указательный палец" directly corresponds to the English "forefinger" as the second digit on the hand, used for pointing. It is versatile across formal and informal settings, such as in medical descriptions or everyday gestures. Be cautious with context: in polite or professional speech, use full phrases like "указательным пальцем" in instrumental case for actions. When multiple translations exist, "указательный палец" is the most neutral and widely accepted choice over less common variants like "индексный палец". Grammatically, always ensure adjective-noun agreement in case and number.

Common Errors:

• Error: Confusing "указательный палец" with "большой палец" (thumb). Incorrect: "Я большим пальцем нажимаю кнопку" when meaning forefinger. Correct: "Я указательным пальцем нажимаю кнопку". Explanation: English learners often mix up finger names; remember "указательный" specifically means the index finger for pointing actions.

• Error: Forgetting case agreement, e.g., using nominative in instrumental contexts. Incorrect: "С указательный палец" instead of "С указательным пальцем". Explanation: Russian requires precise declension; always match the adjective and noun to the sentence's grammatical case for accuracy.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, pointing with the forefinger ("указательный палец") is a common gesture, but it can be seen as rude in some formal or superstitious contexts, similar to Western norms. Historically, in folklore, fingers like the forefinger were associated with magic or direction, though this is not a dominant connotation today.

Related Concepts:

• большой палец (thumb)
• средний палец (middle finger)
• безымянный палец (ring finger)
• мизинец (little finger)