何の言葉20 つまむ (tsumamu)

Hi!

Are you interested in Japanese traditional crafts? As I was googling about today’s 何の言葉, I came across this type of Japanese traditional craft technique called “Tsumami-zaiku”.

Tsumami-zaiku is a craft using fabric to create flower hair ornaments. You can learn more about it in this article.

Without further ado, let’s learn today’s word:

What does つまむ mean?

つまむ is an action to hold or pick up something with your fingertips or tools. In English, it’s similar to the word ‘to pinch’.

• The target is normally a small, thin, soft and light object.

• If the target is big, thick, heavy, we don’t say つまむ.

For example,

• 鼻をつまむ (hana wo tsumamu) = pinch one’s nose

• ティッシュをつまむ (tisshu wo tsumamu) = pinch a tissue (when picking up)

• クッションの端をつまむ (kusshon no hashi wo tsumamu) = pinch the edge of the cushion

• お箸でゴマをつまむ (ohashi de goma wo tsumamu) = pinch some sesame seeds with chopsticks

• ピンセットでにきびをつまむ (pinsetto de nikibi wo tsumamu) pinch a pimple with tweezers

Similar English phrases:

“pinch”
“pick up”
“hold”

 💡 おいしそう！ Can I have a bite?

If つまむ is to pinch something, what do you think is つまみ食い　(tsumamigui)？

The meaning of つまみ食い (tsumamigui) is

• to nibble

• steal a bite (from something that is not yours)

１．彼女は緊張すると、右の耳たぶをつまむくせがある。
　　（Kanojo wa kinchou suru to, migi no mimitabu wo tsumamu kuse ga aru.）
　　When she feel nervous, she always pinches her right earlobe.

２．床に落ちたペンをつまんで持ち上げた。
　　（Yuka ni ochita pen wo tsumande mochiageta.）
　　I picked up the pen that dropped on the floor.

３．ハムスターのしっぽをつまんだら、嫌がられた。
　　（Hamusutaa no shippo wo tsumandara, iyagarareta.）
　　When I pinched the hamster’s tail, he rejected me.

４．そのスイッチをつまんで右に引っ張ってください。
　　（Sono suicchi wo tsumande migi ni hippatte kudasai.）
　　Please hold and pull that switch to the right.

５．すごく嫌なにおいがして、思わず鼻をつまんだ。
　　（Sugoku iya na nioi ga shite, omowazu hana wo tsumanda.）　
　　I pinched my nose unintentionally when the very bad smell came out.

Similar Japanese phrases:

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