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What is the Kanji for 'Sword'? | 刀

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Sword', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Sword' is 刀.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sword

    Reading

    kunyomi

    chi

    かたな

    katana

    onyomiとう

    tou

    Parts

    丿Katakana no 𠃌Enclosure

    Example Word

    刀: sword. The Japanese noun '刀 (かたな)' refers to a traditional Japanese sword, particularly the single-edged, curved blade used by samurai. It is a culturally significant weapon in Japan, often associated with the samurai class and martial arts. The term can also be used more broadly to refer to any type of sword, but it is most commonly associated with the katana. Example sentences: He owns a beautiful sword「彼は美しい刀を持っている」(かれはうつくしいかたなをもっている). The sword is sharp「その刀は鋭い」(そのかたなはするどい).

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    2

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    2

    Frequency

    603

    Radical Form

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    radical

    丿

    Meaning

    Katakana no

    radical

    𠃌

    Meaning

    Enclosure

As Part Of Other Kanji

This kanji appears as part of 10 other kanji:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Minute, Part

    kanji

    Meaning

    Cut

    kanji

    Meaning

    Solve, Untie

    kanji

    Meaning

    Beginning, First

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ticket

    kanji

    Meaning

    Boundary, Vicinity

    kanji

    Meaning

    Kidnap

    kanji

    Meaning

    Blade

    kanji

    Meaning

    Seduce, Summon

    kanji

    Meaning

    Few, Widow

Words Using

This kanji is used in 1 word:

    word

    Meaning

    Sword

Kanji Related to Through the Part 丿

These 31 kanji contain the part 丿 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Eight

    kanji

    Meaning

    Nine

    kanji

    Meaning

    Thousand

    kanji

    Meaning

    Moon, Month

    kanji

    Meaning

    River

    kanji

    Meaning

    Person

    kanji

    Meaning

    Woman

    kanji

    Meaning

    Hand

    kanji

    Meaning

    Power

    kanji

    Meaning

    Enter

    kanji

    Meaning

    Before, Previous

    kanji

    Meaning

    Red

    kanji

    Meaning

    White

    kanji

    Meaning

    Few

    kanji

    Meaning

    Younger brother

    kanji

    Meaning

    Self

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fur

    kanji

    Meaning

    Heart

    kanji

    Meaning

    Talent, Age

    kanji

    Meaning

    Turn

    kanji

    Meaning

    Body, Self

    kanji

    Meaning

    Facing, Yonder

    kanji

    Meaning

    Inevitable, Certain

    kanji

    Meaning

    Lose, Fault

    kanji

    Meaning

    Scanty, Scarce

    kanji

    Meaning

    Mediate, Jammed in

    kanji

    Meaning

    Blood

    kanji

    寿

    Meaning

    Longevity, Congratulations

    kanji

    Meaning

    Mean, Lowly

    kanji

    Meaning

    Vermillion

    kanji

    Meaning

    Feel ashamed

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 刀 mean?

刀 means 'Sword'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Second Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N1 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.