How to say "sharp" in Japanese

• 鋭いするどいJLPT N3approx.Common
  i-adjectiveThe basic adjective for something with a keen edge or point — a knife, claws — and, in its 'pointed' sense, for sharply worded remarks. Start here when you simply mean that something is sharp.
  そのナイフは刃はが鋭するどい。↗

  The knife has a very sharp edge.
• シャープCommon
  na-adjectiveA loanword covering a sharp blade, a crisp image, a quick mind — senses English 'sharp' spans. Especially at home with visual clarity: an image that is sharp rather than blurry.
• 鋭利えいりCommon
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'sharp' in a broad sense: keen and acute as well as physically sharp. A keen blade is a typical context, but the word is not confined to edges and points.
  鋭するどい舌したは絶たえず用もちいることによって、ますます鋭利えいりになる片刃かたはの道具どうぐである。↗

  A sharp tongue is the only edged tool that grows keener with constant use.
• 鋭敏えいびんCommon
  na-adjective, nounSharp in the sense of the senses: keen eyes and ears, acute perception, sensitive reactions. This is the word when 'sharp' describes someone quick to notice things.
  目めが見みえない人ひとの聴力ちょうりょくは鋭敏えいびんな場合ばあいが多おおい。↗

  A blind person's hearing is often very acute.
• 先鋭せんえいCommon
  na-adjective, no-adjectiveSharp in an abstract, intensified sense: radical positions, acute problems, sharpened conflict or opposition. It is not a word for the physical sharpness of a blade.

Choose 「鋭い」 for keen edges, points and pointed remarks; 「シャープ」 for blades, crisp images or quick minds; 鋭利 for keen, acute sharpness in general; 鋭敏 for sharp senses and perception; and 先鋭 for abstract, radical or acute sharpness.

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

• 鋭いするどいsharp (knife, claws, etc.)
• シャープsharp (blade, image, mind, etc.)
• 鋭利えいりsharp
• 鋭敏えいびんsharp (eyes, ears, etc.)
• 先鋭せんえいradical
• 急激きゅうげきsudden
• ジャストjust
• シャープSharp
• とげとげしいsharp (words)
• 嬰えいsharp
• 嬰記号えいきごうsharp (sign)
• 嬰音えいおんsharp (musical note)
• 犀利さいりsharp
• 鮮鋭せんえいsharp
• 舌鋒鋭いぜっぽうするどいsharp (tongue, criticism, etc.)
• 辛辣しんらつbitter (e.g. criticism)
• 急峻きゅうしゅんsteep
• はしっこいsmart
• 怜悧れいりclever
• エッジーedgy
• 甲走ったかんばしったshrill
• 尖ったとがったpointed
• 截然せつぜんclear
• 敏びんquick
• 精悍せいかんvirile
• 悪辣あくらつcrafty
• 画然かくぜんclear (distinction)
• 峻烈しゅんれつsevere
• 急きゅうsteep
• えぐいsharp (language, question, etc.)
• 険悪けんあくstern (expression)
• すばしっこいsharp
• さといsharp (ear, etc.)
• きんきんsharp (pain, e.g. headache, earache)
• 険けんharsh (look)