刀

This component represents a knife or blade · Kangxi radical 18

This component represents a knife or blade, symbolizing cutting, sharpness, and tools used for cutting or carving.

Originally depicted as a curved blade with a handle, resembling an ancient Chinese knife or sword. The shape clearly shows the cutting edge and grip, making it one of the most recognizable pictographic characters.

刀 at a glance

Meaning: This component represents a knife or blade
Strokes: 2
Characters: 17
Role: Contributes meaning
Kangxi radical: 18

Characters with 刀 (14 of 17)

HSK 4 · 1

切qiè · definitely; absolutely (not)

HSK 5 · 3

丑chǒu · shameful 初chū · at first 剪jiǎn · (bound form) scissors or similar tool

HSK 6 · 1

券quàn · variant of 券[quan4]

Beyond HSK · 9

刃rèn · edge of blade 分fèn · part 叨dāo · garrulous 忉dāo · grieved 召shào · name of an ancient state that existed in what is now Shaanxi Province 契qì · to carve 解jiè · to transport under guard 寡guǎ · few 劈pǐ · to split in two

Frequently asked questions

What does the component 刀 mean?

刀 means "This component represents a knife or blade". In the characters that contain it, it contributes meaning.

How many Chinese characters contain 刀?

17 characters in this dictionary contain 刀, including ones at HSK 4, HSK 5, HSK 6.

Is 刀 a radical?

Yes — 刀 is Kangxi radical 18, one of the 214 traditional indexing radicals used to organise Chinese dictionaries.

How many strokes does 刀 have?

刀 is written in 2 strokes.