01
die Fingerspitze
fingertip
The very front, sensitive end of a finger.
example
Er spürte mit der Fingerspitze, ob die Herdplatte noch heiß war.
He felt with his fingertip whether the stovetop was still hot.
die Fingerspitze
fingertip
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Compound word
This word is a simple compound of 'der Finger' (finger) and 'die Spitze' (tip/point). So it literally describes the tip of a finger.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe mir mit dem Messer in die Fingerspitze geschnitten.
I cut my fingertip with the knife.
Typical verbs
In the literal meaning, 'Fingerspitze' (fingertip) is often used with verbs of feeling and touching, for example 'etwas mit den Fingerspitzen spüren' (to feel something with one’s fingertips) or 'jemanden berühren' (to touch someone).
EXAMPLE
Sie berührte sanft mit den Fingerspitzen seine Hand.
She gently touched his hand with her fingertips.
Fixed expression
The expression 'etwas in den Fingerspitzen haben' means to have a very good feel for something. The thing that one is good at or senses well is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Ein guter Koch hat die richtigen Gewürze einfach in den Fingerspitzen.
A good cook simply has a feel for the right spices.
Compare with
Fingerspitze vs Spitze
tip / top / lace
'die Spitze' and 'die Fingerspitze' both refer to a front or outermost end. 'die Spitze' is general and can belong to many things, such as a knife, a pencil, or a tower. 'die Fingerspitze' is much more specific: it means only the sensitive end of a finger. The words can be confused because 'Fingerspitze' contains the word 'Spitze'. When you really mean the finger, 'die Fingerspitze' is the more natural and precise choice.
Fingerspitze
Mehmet berührte die heiße Tasse nur mit der Fingerspitze.
Mehmet touched the hot cup only with his fingertip.
Spitze
Die Spitze des Bleistifts ist abgebrochen, deshalb kann ich nicht gut schreiben.
The tip of the pencil broke off, so I can't write well.
In real life
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