Translation guide
A dagger is a short, pointed knife used for stabbing. In Japanese, the most common word is 短剣 (tanken), but other terms exist for specific types or historical contexts.
A short, pointed stabbing weapon.
The standard word for a dagger, used in modern and historical contexts.
He wore a dagger at his waist.
Loanword from English, often used in fantasy or gaming contexts.
A traditional Japanese dagger, often double-edged. Literary or historical term.
Literally 'short sword', often used for tantō, a specific Japanese dagger. Common in martial arts contexts.
Used figuratively, e.g., 'dagger to the heart' or 'look daggers'.
For most everyday references to a dagger as a weapon, 短剣 (tanken) is safe. Use ダガー in fantasy/gaming. 匕首 (aikuchi) and 短刀 (tantō) are specific to Japanese historical weapons.
In that game, daggers allow quick attacks.
The samurai concealed a dagger in his bosom.
武道では短刀の使い方を学ぶ。
In martial arts, one learns how to use a short sword.
His words were a dagger to my heart.
Literally 'to direct a sharp gaze', equivalent to 'to look daggers at someone'.
She looked daggers at him.