指します vs. 狙います

[Maxful]

Hi masaegu san, could you kindly explain to me if there is a difference between 指します (point, aim) and 狙います (point, aim)?

[masaegu]

Originally Posted by Maxful

Hi masaegu san, could you kindly explain to me if there is a difference between 指します (point, aim) and 狙います (point, aim)?

If there is a difference? There are nothing but differences between those two. They have nothing in common! Don't let the translated words fool you.

指す = to point your finger at something.

狙う = to aim at a target, an award, a prize, a position, etc.

[Maxful]

Thanks for telling and explaining it to me, masaegu san.

[Maxful]

By the way, masaegu san. What if I say "I aim to drink at least 2 litres of water every day.". Should I still use "狙う"?

[masaegu]

Originally Posted by Maxful

By the way, masaegu san. What if I say "I aim to drink at least 2 litres of water every day.". Should I still use "狙う"?

No, not at all.

[Maxful]

? Could you provide me with a few simple examples for 指す and 狙う?

[masaegu]

Originally Posted by Maxful

? Could you provide me with a few simple examples for 指す and 狙う?

時計の針が七時を指している。
南を指して飛ぶ。
西日が指す部屋は人気がない。

誰かが私の命を狙っている。
あの俳優はアカデミー賞を狙っている。
ネコが金魚を狙っている。

俳優（はいゆう） = an actor.

[Maxful]

Hi masaegu san, could you help me out with the other translations because I could only come up with three.

By the way, masaegu san, since it is incorrect to use 狙う for "I aim to drink at least 2 litres of water every day.", what should I use instead?


1. 時計の針が七時を指している。
The hand of the clock is pointing at 7 o'clock.

2. 南を指して飛ぶ。

3. 西日が指す部屋は人気がない。

4. 誰かが私の命を狙っている。

5. あの俳優はアカデミー賞を狙っている。
That actor (over there) is aiming for academy award.

6. ネコが金魚を狙っている。
The cat is aiming for the goldfish.

[masaegu]

Originally Posted by Maxful

Hi masaegu san, could you help me out with the other translations because I could only come up with three.

By the way, masaegu san, since it is incorrect to use 狙う for "I aim to drink at least 2 litres of water every day.", what should I use instead?

Use 「～～する事を目標にしている」.

1. 時計の針が七時を指している。
The hand of the clock is pointing at 7 o'clock.

2. 南を指して飛ぶ。 (Something) flies south.

3. 西日が指す部屋は人気がない。Rooms that get the (late) afternoon sun are not in high demand.

4. 誰かが私の命を狙っている。 Someone is trying to kill me.

5. あの俳優はアカデミー賞を狙っている。
That actor (over there) is aiming for academy award.

6. ネコが金魚を狙っている。
The cat is aiming for the goldfish. The cat is after the goldfish.

[Maxful]

Thanks for the help, masaegu san.