der  Finger

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈfɪŋɐ/

🖐️ What does "der Finger" mean?

Der Finger means finger, one of the five mobile digits at the end of the hand in humans and many primates. Fingers are essential for grasping, touching, holding, and fine motor tasks.

The five fingers of the human hand are:

• Der Daumen (thumb)
• Der Zeigefinger (index finger / forefinger)
• Der Mittelfinger (middle finger)
• Der Ringfinger (ring finger)
• Der kleine Finger (little finger / pinky)

Figuratively, "Finger" can also refer to a hint or involvement (e.g., "seine Finger im Spiel haben" - to have a finger in the pie, or "jemandem auf die Finger schauen" - to watch someone closely).

⚠️ Attention: Don't confuse "der Finger" (on the hand) with "die Zehe" (toe, on the foot)!

Article rules for der, die, and das

📜 Grammar Details: Declining der Finger

Der Finger is a masculine noun. Like most masculine nouns, its article changes depending on the grammatical case (Fall). Here's how it declines:

Example Sentences (Beispielsätze)

1. Der Finger tut weh. (The finger hurts.) - Nominative Singular
2. Ich sehe den Finger nicht. (I don't see the finger.) - Accusative Singular
3. Er gibt dem Finger einen Verband. (He gives the finger a bandage.) - Dative Singular
4. Die Spitze des Fingers ist rot. (The tip of the finger is red.) - Genitive Singular
5. Die Finger sind kalt. (The fingers are cold.) - Nominative Plural
6. Sie wäscht sich die Finger. (She washes her fingers.) - Accusative Plural
7. Mit kalten Fingern kann man schlecht schreiben. (It's hard to write with cold fingers.) - Dative Plural
8. Die Abdrücke der Finger waren überall. (The prints of the fingers were everywhere.) - Genitive Plural

💡 How "der Finger" is Used

"Der Finger" is primarily used in an anatomical context, but also appears in many idioms:

• Anatomy & Medicine: Describing hand injuries, diseases (e.g., Gicht im Finger - gout in the finger), surgeries.
• Everyday Actions: Pointing (zeigen), typing (tippen), writing (schreiben), playing piano (Klavier spielen), clapping (klatschen).
• Idioms (Redewendungen):
  • Jemandem auf die Finger schauen: To watch someone closely, supervise them.
  • Sich die Finger verbrennen: To burn one's fingers (get into trouble).
  • Keinen Finger krumm machen: Not to lift a finger (to be lazy).
  • Etwas durch die Finger gehen lassen: To let something slip through one's fingers (miss an opportunity).
  • Seine Finger im Spiel haben: To have a finger in the pie (to be involved, often negatively).
  • Jemanden um den Finger wickeln: To wrap someone around one's little finger (to easily influence or manipulate someone).

Compared to "die Zehe" (toe), "der Finger" exclusively refers to the digits of the hand.

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Finger"

For the article 'der': Think of a strong man ('der Mann') pointing with der Finger. Many tools you use with your fingers are masculine in German: der Hammer, der Stift (pen). So, der Finger fits this pattern.

For the meaning 'finger': The word "Finger" sounds very similar to the English word "finger". This makes it quite easy to remember!

🔄 Synonyms, Antonyms & Similar Words

⚠️ Similar but different words:

• Der Fingerhut: Thimble (protection for the finger when sewing).
• Das Fingerspitzengefühl: Tact, sensitivity, intuition (literally: fingertip feeling).

😄 A Little Joke

Lehrer: "Was ist weiter entfernt, der Mond oder Australien?"
Fritzchen: "Australien!"
Lehrer: "Wieso das denn?"
Fritzchen: "Den Mond kann ich von hier aus mit dem Finger zeigen!"

--- Translation ---

Teacher: "What is further away, the moon or Australia?"
Little Fritz: "Australia!"
Teacher: "Why is that?"
Little Fritz: "I can point to the moon with my finger from here!"

✍️ Poem about Fingers

Der Finger, klein und doch so stark,
Er tastet, fühlt im Lebenspark.
Er zeigt den Weg, er schreibt das Wort,
Ein Werkzeug fein an diesem Ort.

Fünf Brüder an der Hand vereint,
Mal zart, mal fest, wie es erscheint.
Sie greifen fest, was wichtig ist,
Vergiss sie nicht zu keiner Frist!

--- Translation ---

The finger, small and yet so strong,
It touches, feels in life's park along.
It shows the way, it writes the word,
A tool so fine, its use conferred.

Five brothers on the hand unite,
Sometimes gentle, sometimes with might.
They firmly grasp what's crucial here,
Forget them not, hold them ever dear!

🤔 Little Riddle

Ich habe kein Mundwerk, doch kann ich gut zeigen.
Ich trage oft Ringe, doch muss dafür nicht schweigen.
An deiner Hand bin ich zu finden,
Kann Tasten drücken und Dinge verbinden.

Was bin ich?

--- Translation & Clues ---

I have no mouth, but I can point well.
I often wear rings, but don't have to keep quiet about it.
I am found on your hand,
Can press keys and connect things.

What am I?

(Solution: Der Finger / The finger)

✨ More about der Finger

• Uniqueness (Einzigartigkeit): Every human fingerprint (der Fingerabdruck) is unique and used for identification.
• Compound Words (Wortzusammensetzungen): There are many German compound words with "Finger", e.g.: Fingerabdruck (fingerprint), Fingerfarbe (finger paint), Fingerfood (finger food), Fingerspitze (fingertip), Fingerzeig (hint, pointer), Fingerübung (finger exercise).
• Etymology (Etymologie): The word "Finger" comes from Old High German "fingar" and is related to the verb "fangen" (to catch), likely meaning "gripper" originally.