刀 (dāo) - knife & blade

刀Tone 1

dāo ｜ 2 strokes ｜ radical: 刀

橙丁

刀 · dāo

knife;

blade;

a cutting tool;

a unit of paper (100 sheets);

ancient currency shaped like a knife;

a surname.

knifebladea cutting tool

Usage highlights

kitchen knifescissorssickleswordrazor bladeknife and fork

Synonyms

  • 刃— blade, edge of a knife

Antonyms

  • 鞘— sheath, scabbard

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Please pass me the kitchen knife (菜刀).
  • This is a pair of scissors (剪刀).
  • He bought a ream of paper (一刀纸).
  • Ancient knife money (刀币) was used in China.

Collocations

  • kitchen knife(菜刀)
  • scissors(剪刀)
  • sickle(镰刀)
  • sword(刀剑)
  • razor blade(刀片)
  • knife and fork(刀叉)

Idioms

  • Two-edged sword(两面三刀)
  • A smile hides a knife(笑里藏刀)
  • Brandish a sword and flourish a knife(舞刀弄枪)
  • The sword of Damocles(达摩克利斯之刀)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • One of the oldest tools and weapons in human history, with archaeological evidence dating back thousands of years.
  • Used as currency in ancient China during the Warring States period (knife money).
  • Represents both practical utility and martial prowess in Chinese culture.

FAQ