How to say "dagger" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 懐刀ふところがたなnounCovers a dagger carried concealed on the person — literally a 'bosom sword'. Use it when concealment is the point, as with a stiletto hidden in one's clothing; it is too specific for daggers in general.
- 短刀たんとうnounThe straightforward word for a dagger as a weapon: a short sword or knife. When you simply mean a dagger — the blade itself rather than a full-length sword — this is the word you want.
- 刀剣とうけんnounA blanket term for edged weapons — swords and blades as a class. It can cover daggers, but it is seldom the word you want for a single dagger; it really means swords in general.
Use 短刀 for a dagger as a weapon in general, 懐刀 for a dagger carried concealed on the person, and treat 刀剣 as a blanket term for swords and blades rather than a word for a single dagger.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
See also
