The Meaning of sasu [指す] In Japanese

指す
さす
Romaji: sasu N5

What does 指す mean?

Translation and Meaning

to point, to indicate, to designate, to refer to, to aim at

Definition

指す is a verb meaning to point or designate with a finger or object, to indicate or refer to something, and by extension to mean or signify. It describes directing attention or labeling the subject in gesture or discourse.

Type

Verb (godan, transitive), 動詞（五段・他動詞）

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Physical pointing or designating with a finger or tool.
  • Indicating meaning or reference in conversation or writing.
  • Figurative use to imply or denote something (この語はXを指す).
  • Aim at or direct toward a target or subject in gestures or instructions.

Etymology

etimologia sasu is the native kun’yomi attached to the kanji 指; the word is formed with the native verb ending -す, and shows regular godan conjugation; there are no foreign loanwords or irregular pronunciations in modern Japanese.

Origin

Ancient native verb attested in classical Japanese; the action of pointing or designating has long been part of clear communicative gestures in Japanese texts, with 指す used for both literal pointing and abstract designation.

Composition

  • 指 finger, to point; the hand radical and the notion of pointing guide the meaning
  • す suffix forming a verb; signals the action is performed by the subject

Usage

In modern Japanese 指す is used as a transitive verb with を indicating the thing pointed to or referred to, across casual and formal speech; it also appears in compound expressions such as 指し示す, 指定する and in discursive contexts to mean ‘mean’ or ‘refer to’ when explaining terminology.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine a finger (指) as a tiny arrow that says ‘look here’ and the action ends with -す like a craftsperson finishing a gesture; focus on the gesture cue when memorizing

Variations

  • 示す (しめす) — to show, indicate, shimesu
  • 指差す (ゆびさす) — to point with a finger, yubisasu
  • 指し示す (さししめす) — to point out or indicate, sashishimesu
指す