How to say "knife" in Japanese

• ナイフJLPT N5approx.Common
  nounThe everyday word for a knife, especially a Western-style one such as a table knife, pocket knife, or kitchen knife. This is usually the word you want for the ordinary household sense.
  すみません、ナイフを落おとしてしまいました。↗

  I'm sorry, I dropped my knife.
• 刃物はものCommon
  nounCovers edged tools and cutting instruments broadly — knives, blades, sharp implements of any kind. Use it when speaking of sharp blades in general, as in warnings about carrying a blade, rather than one specific knife.
  そのように刃物はものを振り回ふりまわすことは危険きけんだ。↗

  It is dangerous to wield an edged tool in such a way.
• 短刀たんとうCommon
  nounA short sword or dagger: a short bladed weapon rather than a household knife. For the everyday 'knife' sense this is seldom the word you want; it really refers to a short blade as a weapon.
• 刀剣とうけんCommon
  nounSwords and daggers as a class — bladed weapons, often with a formal or collective feel, as in sword collections or swordsmithing. It is only marginally a way to say 'knife' in ordinary contexts.

Use 「ナイフ」 for an ordinary Western-style knife; 刃物 for blades or cutting implements in general; 短刀 and 刀剣 belong to the world of swords and daggers, not everyday cutlery.

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

• ナイフknife
• 刃物はものedged tool
• 短刀たんとうshort sword
• 刀剣とうけんsword
• どすdagger
• 小刀こがたな(small) knife