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    Chinese Grammar

    Using 刀 (dāo) to refer to a knife or blade

    Topic & Focus

    Structure

    Number + 把 + 刀

    Explanation

    刀 (dāo) is a noun meaning "knife," "blade," or "sword." It refers to a cutting instrument and appears in many compound words such as 剪刀 (scissors) and 菜刀 (kitchen knife). In poetry, it is often used metaphorically to describe sharpness or cutting force.

    Examples

    • 妈妈用菜刀切了几片西瓜。

      Māma yòng càidāo qiē le jǐ piàn xīguā.

      Mom used a kitchen knife to cut a few slices of watermelon.

    • 这把刀太钝了，需要磨一磨。

      Zhè bǎ dāo tài dùn le, xūyào mó yi mó.

      This knife is too dull; it needs to be sharpened.

    • 小心点，刀很锋利，别割到手。

      Xiǎoxīn diǎn, dāo hěn fēnglì, bié gē dào shǒu.

      Be careful, the knife is very sharp—don't cut your hand.

    Using 刀 (dāo) to refer to a knife or blade | Chinese Grammar