Japanese “reserved” button

The 🈯 emoji is the Chinese character '指' (ji), which means "to point." It's used to signify a "designated" or "reserved" seat or item.

It originates from a sign in Japan indicating a "reserved seat." The meaning comes across clearly when you've booked a movie theater seat or "called dibs" on a specific item.

Windows 11

Apple

🈯

Google

This emoji comes from the Japanese word '指定' (shitei), meaning "designation" or "reservation." The shape of the character, which looks like a finger pointing at something, gives it a strong sense of selection.

Beyond its meaning of reservation, it's also used playfully to pick "this one!" from several options or to single out a specific person among friends. You could use it like, "Tonight's dinner menu is chicken 🈯."