指 zhǐ
“finger; to point at or to; to indicate or refer to”
verbHSK 4 · 2021 list level 3
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
指 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 1953: 指 zhǐ — Level 4; official annotation 4 (动). PDF page 128
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 指
指 most commonly means to point at something with a finger. It is also used to say that a word or statement indicates or refers to something. Typical patterns are 指着 + person/thing and 指的是 + noun/clause.
例句Example sentences
- 老师指着地图说：“这里是北京。”lǎo shī zhǐ zhe dì tú shuō:" zhè lǐ shì běi jīng."The teacher pointed at the map and said, “Here is Beijing.”
- 你说的“老地方”指的是哪儿？nǐ shuō de" lǎo dì fang" zhǐ de shì nǎr?What does the “usual place” you mentioned refer to?
- 别用手指着别人，这样不礼貌。bié yòng shǒu zhǐ zhe bié rén, zhè yàng bù lǐ mào.Don't point at people with your finger; it's impolite.