Knife meanings in Japanese

ナイフ (naifu)

Example:

I need a knife to cut this bread.

このパンを切るためにナイフが必要です。

Be careful with that knife!

そのナイフには気をつけてください！

Usage: informalContext: Everyday situations involving cutting or preparing food.

Note: ナイフ (naifu) is a loanword from English and is commonly used in everyday conversation.

刃物 (hamono)

Example:

He works with sharp knives for his job.

彼は仕事で鋭い刃物を使っています。

Be careful, sharp tools can be dangerous.

気をつけて、鋭い道具は危険です。

Usage: formalContext: Describing tools or implements with a blade, including knives.

Note: 刃物 (hamono) is a more formal term that can refer to any sharp-edged tool or weapon.

包丁 (hōchō)

Example:

She uses a chef's knife to chop vegetables.

彼女は野菜を切るために包丁を使います。

A good kitchen knife is essential for cooking.

良い包丁は料理に欠かせません。

Usage: formalContext: Specifically refers to kitchen knives used for cooking.

Note: 包丁 (hōchō) is a term specifically for knives used in the kitchen, and it encompasses various types of cooking knives.

短刀 (tantō)

Example:

The samurai carried a short dagger called tantō.

侍は短刀と呼ばれる短いダガーを持っていました。

Tantō is a traditional Japanese blade.

短刀は伝統的な日本の刃物です。

Usage: formalContext: Refers to a specific type of short blade or dagger in historical contexts.

Note: 短刀 (tantō) is mostly used in historical or martial arts contexts and is less common in everyday conversation.

ナイフで切る (naifu de kiru)

Example:

You can cut the paper with a knife.

ナイフで紙を切ることができます。

Slice the fruit with a knife.

ナイフで果物をスライスしてください。

Usage: informalContext: Referring to the action of cutting with a knife.

Note: This phrase combines the loanword for knife with the verb for cutting, commonly used in cooking or crafting contexts.

blade

A blade is a flat, cutting part of a tool or weapon.

Example: She used a sharp blade to cut the vegetables.

Note: A knife usually has a handle attached to the blade, while a blade can refer to the cutting part of various tools or weapons.

dagger

A dagger is a short, pointed knife used as a weapon.

Example: The assassin carried a hidden dagger for protection.

Note: While a knife can have various shapes and sizes for different purposes, a dagger is specifically designed as a weapon with a pointed blade.

cutting tool

A cutting tool is any implement or machine used for cutting, such as a knife, blade, or scissors.

Example: A cutting tool is essential in the kitchen for slicing and dicing food.

Note: The term 'cutting tool' is more general and can encompass a variety of tools used for cutting, including knives.

Under the knife

This phrase means someone is undergoing a surgery or medical procedure.

Example: The patient is going under the knife tomorrow for a heart surgery.

Note: The original word 'knife' refers to a sharp tool, while this phrase implies a medical procedure involving surgery.

Like a hot knife through butter

This idiom describes something that is done easily and smoothly without any resistance.

Example: The new software program runs like a hot knife through butter on my computer.

Note: The original word 'knife' refers to a sharp cutting tool, while this idiom symbolizes smoothness and ease.

Behind the knife

This phrase means someone is working as a chef or actively involved in cooking.

Example: The chef is happiest when he's behind the knife in the kitchen.

Note: The original word 'knife' refers to a cutting tool, while this phrase refers to being involved in cooking.

Have a knife to (one's) throat

This idiom means being in a difficult or dangerous situation with immediate severe consequences.

Example: The company has a knife to its throat due to the financial crisis.

Note: The original word 'knife' is literal, while this idiom is figurative and expresses a dire situation.

A double-edged sword

This idiom represents something that has both positive and negative consequences or effects.

Example: Working from home has been a double-edged sword - I save time commuting, but I miss the social interaction.

Note: The original word 'knife' refers to a cutting tool, while this idiom symbolizes the duality of a situation.

Put the knife in

This phrase means to deliver a harsh criticism or hurtful remark to someone.

Example: She put the knife in when she criticized his presentation in front of the whole team.

Note: The original word 'knife' is a cutting tool, while this phrase describes verbal criticism.

At knifepoint

This phrase means being threatened or coerced with a knife.

Example: The robbery took place at knifepoint in the dark alley.

Note: The original word 'knife' is a tool, while this phrase signifies a threatening situation involving a knife.

The knives are out

This idiom means that people are ready to attack or criticize each other, especially in a competitive environment.

Example: In a competitive industry, the knives are out as companies fight for market share.

Note: The original word 'knife' is a sharp tool, while this idiom denotes readiness for conflict or criticism.

Shiv

A makeshift knife or sharp object usually made by prisoners for self-defense or to commit harm.

Example: Be careful in the prison yard, some inmates might have a shiv hidden.

Note: Shiv is a slang term specifically used for improvised knives in prison settings, differentiating it from the conventional knife.

Slice and dice

To cut something into small or thin pieces.

Example: The chef skillfully sliced and diced the vegetables for the stir-fry.

Note: While 'knife' refers to the tool itself, 'slice and dice' refers to the action of cutting food into small pieces using a knife.

Cutting edge

Something that is at the forefront or leading position in a particular field.

Example: This new technology is at the cutting edge of innovation.

Note: The slang 'cutting edge' uses the imagery of a knife's sharpness to represent the latest or most advanced status of something.

Dull as a butter knife

Referring to something or someone as uninteresting, lacking sharpness or wit.

Example: His jokes are as dull as a butter knife.

Note: While 'knife' represents sharpness, 'dull as a butter knife' humorously suggests the opposite, emphasizing dullness or lack of edge.

Switchblade personality

Describing someone whose personality can quickly change or 'switch' from one mood or behavior to another.

Example: She has a switchblade personality, you never know what mood she'll be in.

Note: The term 'switchblade personality' uses the concept of a switchblade knife, known for its swift deployment, to depict sudden or unpredictable changes in behavior or mood.

Knife through the fog

Making something complex or unclear much clearer and easier to understand.

Example: His clear explanations were like a knife through the fog, helping everyone understand.

Note: This slang term uses the sharpness of a knife to illustrate how clarity can cut through confusion or ambiguity, making it easier to comprehend.

The chef used a sharp knife to cut the vegetables.

She accidentally cut herself with the knife.

He always carries a pocket knife with him.

Knife - Noun (Noun) / Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass)

Lemma: knife

Conjugations

Noun, plural (Noun, plural): knives

Noun, singular or mass (Noun, singular or mass): knife

Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): knifed

Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): knifing

Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): knifes

Verb, base form (Verb, base form): knife

Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): knife

Syllables, Separation and Stress

knife Contains 1 syllables: knife

Phonetic transcription: ˈnīf

knife , ˈnīf (The red syllable is stressed)

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.

knife: ~ 2500 (Very common).

This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.

Knife