Word Meaning 爪に火を点す

つめにひをともす tsume ni hi o tomosu

爪に火を点す is read as つめにひをともす (tsume ni hi o tomosu) and means to lead a stingy life.

Meaning

English

  1. to lead a stingy life
  2. to scrimp and save
  3. to pinch pennies
  4. to light one's (finger)nails (instead of a candle)

Reading

Kana

つめにひをともす

Romaji

tsume ni hi o tomosu

Writing Variants

  • つめに火をともす つめにひをともす tsumenihiotomosu
  • 爪に火をともす つめにひをともす tsume ni hiotomosu
  • 爪に火を灯す つめにひをともす tsume ni hi o tomosu

Stroke Sequence

6 Characters • 25 Total Strokes

Study Signals and Categories

JLPT N3 Jōyō Upper Grade Kanken 2級 Proverb Rank 144595 Priority W

Related Vocabulary

Max. 12

点火

てんか

ignition

発火点

はっかてん

point of ignition

引火点

いんかてん

flash point

火点し

ひともし

person who leads a funeral procession with a torch

着火点

ちゃっかてん

ignition point

点火系

てんかけい

ignition system

点火器

てんかき

igniter

つめ

hook

爪先

つまさき

toes

爪切り

つめきり

nail clippers

点す

とぼす

to light (a candle, lamp, etc.)