劍 / 剑
jiàn
In Chinese, the term for sword depends on the specific type of blade being described. If you are referring to a double-edged sword, use 劍 / 剑 (jiàn). Wiktionary also lists 刀 (dāo).
Meaning: weapon (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 劍 / 剑 | jiàn | ||
| 刀 | dāo | /tɑʊ̯⁵⁵/ (Mandarin, Standard Chinese, Sinological IPA) /tau⁵⁵/ (Mandarin, Chengdu, Sinological IPA) |
|
| 劍 / 剑 | kiàm | Hokkien |
In Chinese, it is important to distinguish between different types of bladed weapons. The term 劍 / 剑 specifically refers to a double-edged sword. You may encounter the term 劍客 in literature or martial arts contexts to refer to a swordsman. There are also several idiomatic expressions using these terms: 剑走偏锋 means to deviate from the norm or take an unconventional approach, while 笑里藏刀 describes a hidden blade behind a smile.
Which one should you use?
While the English word 'sword' can be used as a general term, Chinese requires you to distinguish between a double-edged sword, which is 劍 / 剑 and a single-edged blade or knife, which is 刀.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form 劍 / 剑 is a Hokkien term with the romanization kiàm.
How do you pronounce it?
kiàm
Did you know?
- If you see the word 刀 in a modern Chinese context related to money, it might actually be a phonetic transcription of the English word 'dollar'.
Examples in context
- 他手握一把锋利的刀剑。He wielded a sharp sword in his hand.
- 他腰间佩戴着一把传世宝剑。He wore a legendary treasure sword by his side.
- 在古代，刀剑是重要的武器之一。In ancient times, swords were one of the crucial weapons.
- 他拿着一把剑站在那里。He stood there holding a sword.
- 他手中握着一把锋利的大刀。He held a sharp big knife in his hand.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sword” translations and entries 刀, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 刀, 劍, CC BY-SA 4.0.
