釖 (dāo) - knife & blade

釖Tone 1

dāo ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

釖 · dāo

knife;

blade;

sword;

a cutting tool

knifebladesword

Usage highlights

Japanese swordkitchen knifesword techniqueblade edgescissorsknife and fork

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 鞘— scabbard (container for blade)
  • 盾— shield (defensive weapon)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The samurai drew his sword (日本刀).
  • This kitchen knife is very sharp (菜刀).
  • He collects antique blades (古刀).
  • The sword technique was precise (刀法).

Collocations

  • Japanese sword(日本刀)
  • kitchen knife(菜刀)
  • sword technique(刀法)
  • blade edge(刀刃)
  • scissors(剪刀)
  • knife and fork(刀叉)

Idioms

  • Two-edged sword(双刃刀)
  • Like a hot knife through butter(快刀斩乱麻)
  • Sword and spear(刀枪)
  • Sword and halberd(刀戟)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • 刀 is one of the oldest tools and weapons in Chinese history, dating back to the Neolithic period.
  • In Japanese culture, 刀 (katana) holds deep spiritual and ceremonial significance for samurai.
  • The character appears in many compound words related to cutting tools and weapons across East Asia.

FAQ