指

• Concrete noun: Finger or toe; may be used as a unit of measurement (finger-width).
• Literal verb: To point or indicate direction; can carry connotations of accusation or command.
• Abstract verb: To refer to, designate, mean, or define.
• Abstract noun: The point of a matter; a guide.

Primarily transitive, taking a direct object (the thing pointed to or the concept referred to).

• vs. 示 (to show): While 示 involves making something visible, 指 focuses on directing attention toward a specific object or idea, regardless of its visibility.
• vs. 標 (to mark): 標 emphasizes the marker or label; 指 emphasizes the act of indication.

In Buddhist texts, be alert for the "finger pointing at the moon" metaphor, where the glyph represents the instrument of instruction as distinct from the ultimate truth being indicated.