HSK 4, n, 2 strokes, radical 刀, rank #1091, Medium
刀
dāo
knife
HSK 4, n, 2 strokes, radical 刀, rank #1091, Medium
刀
dāo
blade
HSK 4, n, 2 strokes, radical 刀, rank #1091, Medium
刀
dāo
single-edged sword
HSK 4, n, 2 strokes, radical 刀, rank #1091, Medium
刀
dāo
cutlass
HSK 4, n, 2 strokes, radical 刀, rank #1091, Medium
刀
dāo
classifier for sets of one hundred sheets (of paper)
HSK 4, n, 2 strokes, radical 刀, rank #1091, Medium
刀
dāo
(slang) dollar (loanword)
HSK 4, n, 2 strokes, radical 刀, rank #1091, Medium
刀
dāo
knife; old coin; measure
HSK 4, n, 2 strokes, radical 刀, rank #1091, Medium
刀
dāo
classifier for knife cuts or stabs
HSK 4, unknown, 2 strokes, radical 刀, rank #1091, Medium
dāo(dao1) T1
1knife
2blade
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March 24, 2026
刀dāo(dao1)
刀 (dāo) primarily means 'knife' or 'blade' and refers to a single-edged cutting tool. It can also denote a type of sword or a measure for certain quantities, such as paper. In various contexts, it can be used both literally and metaphorically, often representing sharpness or precision.
Strokes2Radical刀Frequency#1091DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese cuisine, the knife is a symbol of the chef's skill, and the way one wields a knife can reflect the importance of precision and technique in food preparation. Knife skills are often emphasized in culinary schools in China.
Memory Tip
Imagine a knife (刀) slicing through an apple. The character looks like a blade with a handle, and 'dāo' sounds like 'dough'—a soft substance that can be cut easily. Picture a chef skillfully using the knife to create beautiful dough pastries.
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AI Study Notes for 刀
Quick Contrast
剑 (jiàn) - use 刀 for single-edged tools, while 剑 refers specifically to double-edged swords.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a knife (刀) slicing through an apple. The character looks like a blade with a handle, and 'dāo' sounds like 'dough'—a soft substance that can be cut easily. Picture a chef skillfully using the knife to create beautiful dough pastries.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 刀 (dāo) with other similar-sounding words. It is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, especially when discussing cooking or tools. Note that in some phrases, 刀 can be used metaphorically to imply sharpness in arguments or discussions.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 刀 connects to other vocabulary related to cooking and tools. Students should focus on its uses in practical contexts, such as cooking or martial arts, and learn collocations like 刀具 (dāojù - cutlery) and 刀法 (dāofǎ - sword techniques).
Cultural Note
In Chinese cuisine, the knife is a symbol of the chef's skill, and the way one wields a knife can reflect the importance of precision and technique in food preparation. Knife skills are often emphasized in culinary schools in China.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 刀 (dāo) with similar characters like 头 (tóu), which means 'head.' For example, saying '我用头切菜' (wǒ yòng tóu qiē cài - 'I use my head to cut vegetables') is incorrect; it should be '我用刀切菜' (wǒ yòng dāo qiē cài - 'I use a knife to cut vegetables').
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 刀
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Grammar Patterns of 刀
刀 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 9 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
These fruit knives are very good for stripping apple skins off.
10
这些园丁剪刀又轻又好用.
zhè xiē yuán dīng jiǎn dāo yòu qīng yòu hǎo yòng.
These garden shears are lightweight and easy to use.
Cultural Notes for 刀
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese cuisine, the knife is a symbol of the chef's skill, and the way one wields a knife can reflect the importance of precision and technique in food preparation. Knife skills are often emphasized in culinary schools in China.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, knives are often associated with dining etiquette, whereas in Chinese culture, the knife is more prominently linked to cooking and food preparation techniques.
Word Family of 刀
Compounds47
那Na1surname Na
分fen1to divide
解jie3surname Xie
切qie1to cut
师Shi1surname Shi
初chu1at first
剪Jian3surname Jian
召Shao4surname Shao
契qi4deed, bond, contract; to engrave
券quan4bond (esp. document split in two, with each party holding one half)
叨dao1garrulous
刃ren4edged tool, cutlery, knife edge
劈pi1to hack
拋pao1to abandon, to throw away; to fling, to toss
挈qie4to assist, to help; to lead by hand
辺
朷
剺
忉dao1grieving; distressed
恝jia2carefree; indifferent
栔
絜jie2line, marking; to assess, to measure
舠
鱽
齧Nie4to bite, to gnaw; to erode, to wear down
刄
刅chuang1to create, to make, to invent
刕
刧
刼
剓
劎
叧
屶
巭
旫
洯
灱
糿
芀
蛪
觢
賴lai4to depend on, to rely on; to bilk, to deny; poor
辧
釖
魛
鳭
Words Containing This Character20
刀dāoknife
剪刀jiǎndāoscissors
刀子knife
菜刀vegetable knife
小刀knife
刀锋cutting edge or point of a knife, sword or tool刀鋒
刀片blade
刀具cutting tool
开刀to decapitate開刀
持刀to hold a knife
刺刀bayonet
砍刀machete
刀刃knife blade
剃刀razor
镰刀sickle鐮刀
大刀broadsword
尖刀dagger
一刀切one size fits all
螺丝刀screwdriver螺絲刀
刀枪不入fig. invulnerable刀槍不入
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 那 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 刀
刀 refers to a single-edged knife or blade, while 剑 (jiàn) refers to a double-edged sword.
Yes, 刀 can be used metaphorically to describe sharpness in arguments or discussions.
Common phrases include 刀具 (dāojù - cutlery) and 刀法 (dāofǎ - sword techniques).
