How to say "dirk" in Japanese

• 短刀たんとうCommon
  nounThe broad, neutral term for a short bladed weapon: short sword, knife, dagger, dirk. When you simply mean a dirk with no special coloring, this common word is usually the safest choice.
• どす
  nounA rough, threatening word for a dagger, dirk or knife. Being less common, it is seldom the neutral word you want for a dirk; it fits contexts that deliberately want a menacing tone.
  関わり合かかわりあいになったら、ドスどころかチャカが出でてきそうだ。↗

  Mess with them, and they won't just pull shivs on you; they're probably packing heat.
• 匕首あいくち
  nounA dagger in the strict sense, a blade for stabbing; unlike the other two it does not cover knives. Less common, it suits the dagger sense of dirk but is not an everyday word.

For a dirk as a short blade in general, 短刀 is the common, neutral choice; 「どす」 adds a rough, threatening flavor, while 匕首 is a less common word that sticks to the dagger sense.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 短刀たんとうshort sword
• どすdagger
• 匕首あいくちdagger