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Chinese vocabulary · Beginner
How do you say "fingernail" in Chinese?
指甲
zhǐ jiǎ
In Chinese, "fingernail" is 指甲 (zhǐ jiǎ).
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Pronunciation
The pinyin "zhǐ jiǎ" takes third tone, then third tone, meaning dipping low then curling back up, like a small scoop. Slow down on zhǐ jiǎ at first so the tone contour doesn't flatten out.
Writing and usage
指甲 is written using hanzi. It's a noun, part of the vocabulary taught in the Noun Town language learning game.
Example sentence
他用指甲敲了敲桌子。
tā yòng zhǐ jiǎ qiāo le qiāo zhuō zi 。
He tapped his fingernail on the desk.
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How to remember 指甲
Think of the scene from "He tapped his fingernail on the desk"; it pairs naturally with the sound "zhǐ jiǎ".
Related words
Browse all Chinese words in the glossary.
Questions about 指甲
How do you pronounce 指甲?
The pinyin "zhǐ jiǎ" takes third tone, then third tone, meaning dipping low then curling back up, like a small scoop. Slow down on zhǐ jiǎ at first so the tone contour doesn't flatten out.
Is 指甲 formal or casual?
指甲 is a neutral, everyday word that works in both casual and polite speech.
How is 指甲 used in Chinese?
指甲 is used the same way as the equivalent English noun. For example: 他用指甲敲了敲桌子。 (He tapped his fingernail on the desk.).
Where can I practice Chinese words for free?
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"Fingernail" in other languages
Curated by Callan Ratcliffe
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