The finger Meaning in English
expression
ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈfɪŋɡɝ
thuh FIN-ger
ðə, ði/ /fˈɪŋɡɐ
thuh FIN-guh
Definition
A rude gesture where someone raises their middle finger to insult or show anger. In English, "give someone the finger" means to make this gesture.
Usage & Nuances
Highly offensive and informal; use only when explaining or quoting. More common in Western culture; considered very rude almost everywhere. The formal way to say it is "make an obscene gesture". Avoid making the gesture in public or with strangers.
Spanish: peineta - corte de mangasPortuguese (BR): dedo do meio (ofensivo) - mostrar o dedoPortuguese (PT): dedo do meio (gesto ofensivo) - mostrar o dedoChinese (Simplified): 竖中指Chinese (Traditional): 比中指Hindi: मध्यमा दिखाना (अपमानजनक इशारा)Arabic: رفع الإصبع الأوسطBengali: মধ্যাঙ্গুলি দেখানো - আঙ্গুল দেখানো (অশ্লীল ইঙ্গিত)Russian: показать средний палец - средний палец (жест)Japanese: 中指を立てる - ファックサインVietnamese: giơ ngón giữa - giơ ngón tay giữa (cử chỉ thô lỗ)Korean: 가운뎃손가락을 세우다 - 욕 손가락Turkish: orta parmağı göstermek - küfür parmağıUrdu: درمیانی انگلی اٹھانا - فحش اشارہIndonesian: mengacungkan jari tengah - menunjukkan jari tengah
Example Sentences
He got angry and gave me the finger.
basic
Showing the finger is very rude.
basic
Please don’t give anyone the finger.
basic
The driver cut me off, so I gave him the finger.
natural
He laughed and said, "Don't take the finger so seriously!"
natural
My friend taught me what the finger means in America.
natural