navaja
/naˈbaxa/
The English phrase "pocket knife" is translated into Spanish as navaja.
The term navaja is used to refer specifically to a pocket knife or a folding knife. You can also use the phrase navaja de bolsillo to say "pocket knife" more literally, by adding de bolsillo (of the pocket).
Which one should you use?
While cuchillo refers to a general knife, such as a kitchen knife, navaja specifically refers to a folding knife or pocket knife.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of navaja is navajas.
How do you pronounce it?
/naˈbaxa/
Did you know?
- The term navaja is also used in Spanish to describe a specific type of thin, pointed shell, known as the navaja or razor clam.
- The navaja is central to the traditional folk dance called el baile de navajas, where dancers perform choreographed movements with their knives.
- The Latin ancestor of navaja, *novacula*, originally referred to a tool for shaving, which is why the word remains so closely tied to the concept of precision cutting.
Examples in context
- Carlos sacó una navaja.Carlos took out a pocket knife.This sentence shows the use of navaja.Tatoeba #13736343 by Seael, translation #11747031 by Amastan
- Ese cuchillo no estaba afilado y no podía cortar la carne con él, así que recurrí a mi navaja.That knife wasn't sharp and I couldn't cut the meat with it, so I resorted to using my pocket knife.This sentence shows how to use navaja when a general knife is not sharp enough.Tatoeba #1710642 by teskmon, translation #942833 by CK
- El cuchillo era tan romo no pude usarlo para cortar la carne, así que tuve que depender de mi navaja de bolsillo.That knife was so blunt I couldn't use it to cut the meat so I had to rely on my pocket knife.Tatoeba #5036876 by albrusgher, translation #942832 by CK
- ¿Dónde puedo encontrar un cuchillo de bolsillo de buena calidad?Where can I find a good quality pocket knife?
- ¿Tienes un cuchillo plegable?Do you have a folding knife?
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier is helping Lucía open a package with a tool.
- Lucía¿Tienes una navaja para abrir esto?Do you have a pocket knife to open this?
- JavierSí, la tengo en mi mochila.Yes, I have it in my backpack.
- LucíaGracias, esa navaja es muy útil.Thanks, that pocket knife is very useful.
- JavierDe nada, siempre la llevo conmigo.You're welcome, I always carry it with me.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry navaja, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries navaja, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
