The most common way to say "finger" in French is simply le doigt. But what about your thumb, your index finger, or your pinky? The French language has specific names for each digit, just like in English. Knowing these terms is not only essential for talking about your hands but also comes in handy in various situations, from visiting a doctor to understanding everyday expressions. Let's dive into the 9 different ways to talk about your fingers in French!

The standard 'finger' – le doigt

The most standard and direct way to say 'finger' in French is le doigt. This is the term you'll use in almost any context, from casual conversation to medical settings. It is the foundational word for this part of the body.

Doigt is a masculine noun, so you will always see it preceded by a masculine article: le doigt (the finger) or un doigt (a finger). The plural form simply adds an 's': les doigts (the fingers).

A key point for English speakers is that doigt can refer to both fingers and toes. To be specific, French speakers say un doigt de pied (a toe, literally 'finger of foot'). If you just say le doigt without any other context, people will assume you mean a finger on your hand.

Just like in English, each finger has its own specific name in French. Knowing these is essential for more precise communication:

• Le pouce: The thumb
• L'index: The index finger
• Le majeur: The middle finger
• L'annulaire: The ring finger
• L'auriculaire or Le petit doigt: The pinky finger / little finger

The word doigt is also a component of several common French idioms. For example, se mordre les doigts means 'to regret something' (literally 'to bite one's fingers'), and montrer du doigt means 'to point someone out' or 'to accuse'.

💡 * Il s'est coupé le doigt en cuisinant.

• Elle porte une bague à l'annulaire gauche.
• J'ai dix doigts de pied au total.
• Le bébé a mis son pouce dans la bouche.
• Ne montre pas les gens du doigt, ce n'est pas poli.

The 'thumb' – le pouce

The most straightforward French word for the thumb is le pouce. It's a masculine noun, so you'll always refer to it as le pouce (the thumb) or un pouce (a thumb).

One of the most important things to know about le pouce is its double meaning. While it means 'thumb,' it is also the French word for the unit of measurement 'inch.' Context is crucial to tell them apart. For example, the size of a TV screen is measured in pouces.

Beyond its literal meanings, le pouce is key to a very common French expression: donner un coup de pouce. This phrase means 'to give a helping hand' or 'to give someone a boost.' It’s an incredibly useful idiom to know.

The thumb gesture is also tied to the word. The 'thumbs-up' sign is often described as lever le pouce (to raise the thumb). In the same vein, the act of hitchhiking is known as faire du pouce (literally, 'to do the thumb').

So, when you hear le pouce, listen carefully to the context. Are they talking about a hand (la main) or a measurement (une mesure)? This distinction will help you master this versatile and essential French noun.

💡 * Je me suis blessé le pouce en jardinant.

• L'écran de ce téléphone mesure six pouces.
• Mon ami m'a donné un coup de pouce pour trouver un travail.
• Il a levé le pouce pour montrer que tout allait bien.
• Pour voyager pas cher, ils ont décidé de faire du pouce.

The 'index finger' – l'index

The French word for the 'index finger' or 'forefinger' is l'index. This is a masculine noun, so you'll see it referred to as un index (an index finger) or l'index (the index finger).

This word is a direct cognate of the English 'index,' making it very easy to remember. Both derive from the Latin verb indicare, meaning 'to point out.' Your index finger is the one you use to indicate or point!

The primary action associated with this finger is pointing. The common French expression for this is montrer du doigt, which literally translates to 'to show with the finger.' It's understood that you are using your index when using this phrase.

A quick cultural tip: just like in many other places, it is considered impolite to point directly at people in France. So, be careful when you montrer quelqu'un du doigt!

💡 * Il a levé l'index pour poser une question.

• Elle portait une bague à l'index.
• Attention, ne montre pas les gens du doigt, c'est impoli.
• Je me suis fait une petite coupure à l'index.

The 'middle finger' – le majeur

The French term for the 'middle finger' is le majeur. This is the most common and direct way to refer to it.

Literally, le majeur means 'the major finger' and is the standard anatomical name. However, like in English, its significance changes dramatically when used as a gesture.

The act of 'giving the finger' is expressed with the phrase faire un doigt d'honneur, which ironically translates to 'to make a finger of honor'. This phrase specifically refers to the offensive gesture.

This gesture is just as vulgar and offensive in French culture as it is in many other parts of the world. It is a strong sign of contempt and should be used with extreme caution, if at all.

💡 * Il a répondu en faisant un doigt d'honneur. (He responded by giving the middle finger.)

• Je me suis coupé le majeur en cuisinant. (I cut my middle finger while cooking.)
• Lever le majeur est considéré comme une insulte grave. (Raising the middle finger is considered a serious insult.)
• Ne fais jamais un doigt d'honneur à un professeur ! (Never give the middle finger to a teacher!)

The 'ring finger' – l'annulaire

L'annulaire is the French word for the 'ring finger.' Its name is logically derived from the French word for ring, anneau, because this is the finger traditionally designated for wedding rings.

It's important to note that annulaire is a masculine noun. Therefore, you would say un annulaire (a ring finger) or l'annulaire (the ring finger).

The annulaire is the fourth finger of the hand, located between the middle finger (le majeur) and the little finger, or pinky (l'auriculaire).

While its name is tied to jewelry, l'annulaire is the standard term used in all contexts, whether you're at a doctor's office or simply pointing something out.

💡 * Elle porte une bague magnifique à l'annulaire gauche. (She wears a magnificent ring on her left ring finger.)

• Je me suis fait mal à l'annulaire en fermant la porte. (I hurt my ring finger closing the door.)
• En France, l'alliance se porte traditionnellement à l'annulaire. (In France, the wedding band is traditionally worn on the ring finger.)
• L'annulaire est souvent considéré comme le doigt le plus faible de la main. (The ring finger is often considered the weakest finger of the hand.)

The 'little finger' or 'pinky' – l'auriculaire

In French, the formal and anatomical word for the 'little finger' or 'pinky' is l'auriculaire. While you might not use it as frequently as other words for fingers, it's the correct medical term you'd find in a dictionary or a doctor's office.

A fantastic way to remember this word is to connect it to its origin. L'auriculaire comes from the Latin auricularis, meaning 'relating to the ear'. Why? Because it's the finger small enough to clean your ear (l'oreille in French). This connection provides a memorable link between the body parts.

In everyday conversation, French speakers are much more likely to use the simpler term le petit doigt (literally, 'the little finger'). This is the direct and most common equivalent of 'pinky' in casual contexts.

The little finger plays a key role in a classic French expression: 'Mon petit doigt m'a dit...'. This translates to 'My little finger told me...' and is the direct equivalent of the English phrase 'A little bird told me...'. It's a playful way to say you have information without revealing the source.

💡 * Je me suis blessé l'auriculaire en fermant la porte.

• Mon petit doigt m'a dit que tu préparais une surprise.
• Elle porte une bague fine à son auriculaire droit.
• Le professeur a levé l'auriculaire en buvant son thé.

The other 'little finger' – le petit doigt

While le petit doigt literally translates to "the little finger" (or the pinky finger), it's most famously used in a common French idiom, much like "a little bird told me" in English.

The expression is “Mon petit doigt m'a dit que...” which means “My little finger told me that...”. It's a whimsical and common way to say you know something without revealing your source. It's often used when talking to children, but also playfully among adults.

You use this phrase to introduce a piece of information or a secret you've discovered. The structure is straightforward: Mon petit doigt m'a dit que followed by the information you've learned.

💡 * Mon petit doigt m'a dit que c'est ton anniversaire aujourd'hui. (A little bird told me it's your birthday today.)

• Je sais que tu as pris le dernier biscuit, mon petit doigt me l'a dit. (I know you took the last cookie, a little bird told me so.)
• Mon petit doigt m'a dit que vous prépariez une surprise. (A little bird told me you were preparing a surprise.)

1. The 'fingertip' – le bout du doigt

The French term for “fingertip” is le bout du doigt.

Literally translating to “the end of the finger,” this phrase is the most common and direct way to refer to this part of the body. The word bout means “end” or “tip,” and doigt means “finger.”

This phrase is also part of a very common French idiom: connaître quelque chose sur le bout des doigts, which means “to know something perfectly” or “to know something like the back of your hand.”

💡 * Je me suis coupé le bout du doigt en cuisinant. (I cut my fingertip while cooking.)

• Elle connaît cette chanson sur le bout des doigts. (She knows this song by heart.)
• Il a effleuré la surface de l'eau du bout des doigts. (He grazed the surface of the water with his fingertips.)

The 'toe' or 'foot finger' – l'orteil / le doigt de pied

The most common and direct word for 'toe' in French is l'orteil. It's a masculine noun, so you would say un orteil for 'a toe' and l'orteil for 'the toe'. This is the term you'll hear most frequently in everyday conversation and medical contexts.

Another very common way to say 'toe' is le doigt de pied, which literally translates to 'the finger of the foot'. This descriptive phrase is perfectly correct and widely understood. Just like l'orteil, it's a masculine noun.

While both terms are interchangeable, l'orteil is generally more concise and standard. Le doigt de pied is often used for emphasis, in a more playful or descriptive context, or sometimes when speaking with children. Think of it like saying 'foot finger' in English—it's clear, just a bit more literal.

For the plural 'toes,' you simply add an 's': les orteils or les doigts de pied. For example, 'I have ten toes' would be J'ai dix orteils.

💡 * Je me suis cogné le petit orteil contre la table. (I stubbed my little toe on the table.)

• Le sable chaud brûlait mes doigts de pied. (The hot sand was burning my toes.)
• Elle porte des sandales pour montrer ses orteils. (She is wearing sandals to show her toes.)
• Un enfant a cinq doigts de pied à chaque pied. (A child has five toes on each foot.)

Are there other ways to say 'finger' in French?

Are there other ways to say “finger” in French?

Our list features the most essential word for “finger” in French: doigt. But of course, French also has other terms, from specific anatomical vocabulary to informal slang that you might hear in everyday conversation.

To expand your vocabulary, you can do an online search for phrases like “argot pour les doigts” (slang for fingers) or look into diagrams of the hand in French to learn more technical terms.

While doigt is the go-to word, remember that slang or specialized terms are all about context. Before using a new word, try to see how it’s used by native speakers in movies, series, or books to make sure you get it right.

Pay attention to French expressions and gestures as you continue your learning journey. The French often use their hands to communicate, and you'll discover many idioms related to fingers, like se mordre les doigts (to bite one's fingers, meaning to regret something).

If you want to learn more words related to the hand, fingers, or the many expressions that use them, the WordReference entry for doigt is a fantastic starting point for curious learners.

I hope this guide was helpful and that you feel more confident. To finish, here is a popular French saying: Il ne faut pas mettre le doigt entre l'arbre et l'écorce. (One shouldn't put their finger between the tree and the bark.) It’s a clever way of saying you shouldn’t get involved in a dispute between two close people. Happy learning!