爪（つめ、tsume）
- nail

The Japanese word 爪 (つめ, *tsume*) primarily means "nail" or "claw." It refers to the hard, protective plates found at the end of fingers and toes in humans and animals. It can also describe the claws of animals like cats, dogs, and birds.

⚫︎犬の爪が長い。 Translation: The dog's nails are long. ⚫︎彼女は赤いマニキュアを爪に塗った。 Translation: She painted her nails red. ⚫︎猫は爪で壁を引っ掻いた。 Translation: The cat scratched the wall with its claws.

爪 is used in everyday conversation to describe nails or claws. ⚫︎ It is a common word, so it can be used in almost any context relating to nails or claws. ⚫︎ When referring to human nails, it usually means fingernails or toenails. ⚫︎ When referring to animal claws, it's used to describe the sharp, curved appendages used for gripping and scratching. ⚫︎ The word is usually appropriate in both formal and informal settings.

⚫︎ The word 爪 is most commonly written with the kanji 爪. ⚫︎ The hiragana reading is つめ (*tsume*). ⚫︎ There are no other common ways to write this word. ⚫︎ The okurigana (送りがな) doesn't change.

There aren't many direct synonyms for 爪, but here are some related words: ⚫︎ 手足 (*teashi*): hands and feet. ⚫︎ 指 (*yubi*): finger or toe. ⚫︎ 手 (*te*): hand. ⚫︎ 足 (*ashi*): foot. ⚫︎ 鉤爪（かぎづめ）(*kagi-zume*) : claw (for animal)

⚫︎ There is no direct antonym for [爪], but you could consider the soft tissues around the [爪], for example. ⚫︎皮膚 (*hifu*): skin (around the nail).

彼は爪を噛む癖がある。 ・Translation: He has a habit of biting his nails. ・Explanation: This sentence describes a common habit using the word [爪].

その鳥は鋭い爪で木に止まった。 ・Translation: The bird landed on the tree with its sharp claws. ・Explanation: This sentence uses [爪] to describe an animal's claws.

The etymology of 爪 is not definitively known, but it's likely of ancient Japanese origin. It's thought to have developed to describe the hard, protective part at the end of fingers and toes.