Inklingo
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dedo

/DEH-doh/

finger

A close-up, simple illustration of a single human finger, bent slightly at the joint.

The most common translation for dedo is 'finger'.

dedo(noun)

mA1

finger

?

part of the hand

,

toe

?

part of the foot

📝 In Action

Me puse un anillo en el dedo anular.

A1

I put a ring on my ring finger.

Me duele el dedo gordo del pie después de correr.

A2

My big toe hurts after running.

El bebé siempre quiere agarrar cosas con sus pequeños dedos.

A1

The baby always wants to grab things with its tiny fingers.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • falange (phalanx (bone segment))

Common Collocations

  • dedo pulgar – thumb (or big toe)
  • uña del dedo – fingernail or toenail

💡 Grammar Points

Use with Possessives

Unlike English, Spanish often uses definite articles (el/la/los/las) instead of possessive adjectives (mi/tu/su) when referring to body parts: 'Me corté el dedo' (I cut my finger), not 'mi dedo'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Finger vs. Toe

Mistake: "Using a different word for toe."

Correction: The word *dedo* covers both fingers and toes. If you need to specify, say *dedo de la mano* (finger of the hand) or *dedo del pie* (finger of the foot).

⭐ Usage Tips

Naming Specific Digits

The thumb is pulgar. The index finger is índice. The middle finger is corazón or medio. The ring finger is anular. The pinky finger is meñique.

A clear glass standing on a flat surface, containing only a very shallow, thin layer of blue liquid at the bottom, representing a small quantity.

Figuratively, dedo can refer to 'a small amount' or 'a finger's width' of something.

dedo(noun)

mB1

a small amount

?

figurative measure

Also:

accusation

?

in the phrase 'señalar con el dedo'

📝 In Action

No tengo dos dedos de frente si hice esa tontería.

B1

I must not have a lick of sense if I did that stupid thing. (Literal: I don't have two fingers of forehead.)

Le echamos solo un dedo de aceite al guiso.

B2

We only added a splash/tiny bit of oil to the stew.

Word Connections

Idioms & Expressions

  • Poner el dedo en la llaga – To touch a sensitive subject or mention the real problem.
  • Meter el dedo – To interfere or meddle in someone else's affairs.
  • Señalar con el dedo – To point at someone; to accuse or blame them publicly.

💡 Grammar Points

Dedo as a Small Measure

When used in cooking or drinking contexts, un dedo literally means the amount that comes up to the height of a finger, indicating a small, imprecise measure.

⭐ Usage Tips

Understanding 'No Tener Dos Dedos de Frente'

This is a very common way to say someone is foolish or lacks common sense. It refers to the small distance between the eyes, suggesting a lack of space for brains.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: dedo

Question 1 of 2

Which Spanish phrase correctly asks a friend to identify the specific part of the body that allows them to pick up a pen?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

digital(digital (relating to fingers)) - adjective
dedal(thimble) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

If 'dedo' means both finger and toe, how do I specify which one I mean?

While the context usually makes it clear, if you must be specific, say *dedo de la mano* (finger of the hand) or *dedo del pie* (finger of the foot). For the big toe, you often hear *dedo gordo del pie*.

Is it rude to 'señalar con el dedo' (to point a finger)?

Pointing is generally considered less polite in Spanish-speaking cultures than in English-speaking ones, especially if you are pointing *at* a person. It is often associated with blame or accusation, as seen in the phrase *señalar con el dedo*.