匕首
bǐshǒu
The English word "dagger" can be translated into Chinese as 匕首 (bǐshǒu), 短劍 / 短剑 or 短刀.
Meaning: a stabbing weapon (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 匕首 | bǐshǒu |
| 短劍 / 短剑 | duǎnjiàn |
| 短刀 | duǎndāo |
These terms refer to stabbing weapons. In certain contexts, daggers may be categorized under the term 暗器, which is used to describe concealed weapons.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 匕首 is composed of 匕 (bǐ), meaning "spoon" or "dagger-shaped object" and 首 (shǒu), meaning "head" or "first".
Which one should you use?
The forms differ based on the type of blade described. 匕首 specifically refers to a small, concealable stabbing weapon. 短劍 / 短剑 implies a small sword and is used for weapons that are slightly larger and more sword-like in construction. 短刀 implies a short knife or blade and serves as a more generic term for any short blade, often used in modern contexts to describe a combat knife.
How do you pronounce it?
bǐshǒu
Did you know?
- In Chinese martial arts cinema, the term 暗器 includes daggers used as 'hidden weapons', which are thrown or launched from mechanisms like sleeves or rings.
- While 短劍 literally means 'short sword', it often evokes the historical 'jian' used by scholars and nobility, whereas 短刀 implies a more utilitarian tool.
- Chinese distinguishes between 劍 (jian) and 刀 (dao) based on whether the blade is double-edged or single-edged, a distinction not found in the English word 'dagger'.
Examples in context
- 我在博物馆看到了一把匕首。I saw a dagger in the museum.
- 他在博物馆里看到一把古老的匕首。Tā zài bówùguǎn lǐ kàndào yī bǎ gǔlǎo de bǐshǒu.He saw an ancient dagger in the museum.
- 那把匕首非常锋利。Nà bǎ bǐshǒu fēicháng fēnglì.That dagger is very sharp.
- 电影里的主角用匕首自卫。Diànyǐng lǐ de zhǔjué yòng bǐshǒu zìwèi.The protagonist in the movie uses a dagger for self-defense.
Example conversation
A museum guide is explaining an exhibit to a visitor.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen这把匕首很有名。Zhè bǎ bǐshǒu hěn yǒumíng.This dagger is very famous.
- 俊杰 Junjie它的材质是什么？Tā de cáizhì shì shénme?What is it made of?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen这把匕首是用青铜做的。Zhè bǎ bǐshǒu shì yòng qīngtóng zuò de.This dagger is made of bronze.
- 俊杰 Junjie它看起来很精致。Tā kàn qǐlái hěn jīngzhì.It looks very exquisite.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dagger” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
