ナイフ
naifu[na̠iɸɯ̟]
The English word 'knife' can be translated into Japanese as ナイフ (naifu) or 小刀.
Meaning: utensil or tool designed for cutting (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| ナイフ | naifu | [na̠iɸɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 小刀 | kogatana | [ɕo̞ːto̞ː] (narrow) [ko̞ɡa̠ta̠na̠] (narrow) |
The term is used to describe a utensil or tool designed for cutting. While ナイフ is a general term, it is often associated with Western-style knives like table knives or camping knives. If you are specifically referring to a Japanese kitchen knife used for cooking, the word 包丁 is used instead.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 小刀 is composed of the characters 小 (small) and 刀 (sword/blade/knife), literally meaning 'small knife'.
Which one should you use?
ナイフ is a loanword from English and typically refers to Western-style knives, such as those used for dining or camping. In contrast, 小刀 is a more traditional or descriptive term that refers to a small knife or a pocket knife.
How do you pronounce it?
naifu
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, the 包丁 is often treated with spiritual reverence, and some high-end knives are handmade by master smiths using traditional folding techniques.
- The character 刀 used in 小刀 is the same character used to describe the iconic samurai sword, reflecting a shared ancestry between utility knives and weaponry.
- The Japanese word for kitchen knife, 包丁, uses the character for 'wrap' or 'envelop', which is quite different from the English concept of a cutting tool.
Examples in context
- ナイフが鋭くない。The knife is not sharp.This sentence is useful for describing the sharpness of the ナイフ.Tatoeba #650546 by arihato, translation #60758 by CK
- ナイフが一丁欲しい。I want a knife.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to possess a ナイフ.Tatoeba #3552048 by arnab, translation #2730974 by CK
- ナイフを捨てなさい。Drop the knife.This sentence is useful for giving a command to discard a ナイフ.Tatoeba #11481792 by bunbuku, translation #9246633 by CK
- 99 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui and Yota are preparing ingredients for dinner.
- 結衣 Yui陽太、ナイフをどこに置いた？Yōta, naifu o doko ni oita?Yota, where did you put the knife?
- 陽太 Yotaあそこにあるよ。Asoko ni aru yo.It's over there.
- 結衣 Yui見つからない。新しいナイフを取って。Mitsukaranai. Atarashii naifu o totte.I can't find it. Get me a new knife.
- 陽太 Yotaはい、どうぞ。Hai, dōzo.Here you go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “knife” translations and entries ナイフ, 小刀, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
