指点 zhǐdiǎn to point out
to point out; to indicate; to give directions; to show how (to do something); to censure; to pick at
How to remember 指点: 指 point at + 点 point = to point out.
Characters
How it is used
- To point out or show someone how to do something - 请您指点一下 (qǐng nín zhǐdiǎn yíxià) please show me how / give me some pointers.
- Usually kindly guidance from someone more experienced (指点迷津 show the way out of confusion), but can turn critical: 指指点点 (zhǐzhǐ-diǎndiǎn) means to gossip about and criticize behind someone's back.
Example sentences
- 用手指点别人不礼貌。 Yòng shǒuzhǐ diǎn biérén bù lǐmào.It's bad manners to point at people.