What does 刀 mean in Chinese?

刀 (dāo) means "knife, blade" in Chinese. The new HSK exam expects you to recognise it at HSK 4.

How do you write 刀?

Use the interactive stroke-order tool to see how 刀 is written.

What is the radical of 刀?

The radical of 刀 is 刀 (knife, Kangxi radical #18). Other common HSK characters using the same radical include 分, 初.

How many strokes does 刀 have?

Stroke count information for 刀 is being updated.

What HSK level is 刀?

On the new HSK exam syllabus, 刀 is a character to recognise at HSK 4 and to write by hand at HSK 4.

刀 (dāo): Meaning, Stroke Order, Radical & Examples

刀

dāo

knife, blade

HSK 4 character Radical: 刀 (knife)

Quick Answer

刀 (dāo) means "knife, blade" with radical 刀 (knife), HSK 4 on the new exam.

Full dictionary entry for 刀 →Animated stroke-order for 刀 →

Pronunciation

dāo

Meaning

Primary: knife

Other meanings:

blade

Basic info

Pinyin	dāo
Meanings	knife, blade
Radical	刀 (#18: knife)
New HSK exam	Recognise at HSK 4, write by hand at HSK 4
Frequency	#648 most common

Example sentences

小心，这把刀很锋利。
Xiǎoxīn, zhè bǎ dāo hěn fēnglì.
Be careful, this knife is very sharp.
From 刀 (HSK 4)
请用剪刀把绳子剪断。
Qǐng yòng jiǎndāo bǎ shéngzi jiǎnduàn.
Please use scissors to cut the rope.
From 剪刀 (HSK 5)
小心这把刀子很锋利。
Xiǎoxīn zhè bǎ dāozi hěn fēnglì.
Be careful, this knife is very sharp.
From 刀子

Words containing 刀

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
刀	dāo	knife	HSK 4
剪刀	jiǎndāo	scissors	HSK 5
刀子	dāozi	knife

Related characters

Share the 刀 (knife) radical

分fēn 初chū

See all characters with the 刀 radical →

On the new HSK 4 exam

Studying for HSK 4? Keep 刀 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 4 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.

刀

dāo