нога = leg or foot? How do you distinguish?

[david-us.livejournal.com]

How do Russians make the distinction between "leg" and "foot"?

Yes, I understand there are many standard phrases where it is understood. But that isn't always the case.

When babies are just learning to talk a common "game" to play with them is to say:

"Touch mommy's nose." 

"Now touch mommy's ear."

"Where are mommy's lips?"

"Where are mommy's eyes?"

"Can you find mommy's chin?"

Babies love this game and it is very instructive. They are playing and learning - all at the same time.

But what does the poor baby do when you ask ...

"Где нога мамы?" or "Где рука мамы?"

Why don't Russians have separate word for leg/foot and arm/hand?

If you want somebody to wave their hand - how do you get them to do that without it being misinterpreted as "Wave your arm?"

 

 

Comments

Re: No doubts we can differ these when there is a reason for that

[cassandraclue.livejournal.com]

handball

Re: No doubts we can differ these when there is a reason for that

[lion-casserole.livejournal.com]

.
Thanks. Yep, Hand ball: a foul where a [field] player touches the ball with his hand or arm [...].

My question is: is there another standard wording for that? I remember that waking up a German-speaking referee we (Russian and German speaking boys) used to cry "hands".

Re: No doubts we can differ these when there is a reason for that

[cassandraclue.livejournal.com]

I don't think so. It's been ten years since I played at school, but I'm pretty sure that we don't say "hands" or anything else beside "handball."