Translation guide
The English word "sharp" covers many meanings: physically pointed or edged, sudden changes, intelligent, intense sensations, and more. Japanese uses different words for each meaning. This guide breaks them down by use.
Describing something with a fine point or thin cutting edge, like a knife, needle, or pencil.
General word for sharp (pointed or keen). Used for blades, claws, teeth, and also for sharp senses or insight.
This knife is very sharp.
A cat's claws are sharp.
Specifically means pointed, tapered, or sharp at the tip. Used for pencils, sticks, rocks, or a sharp nose/chin.
Please sharpen the pencil.
He has a sharp chin.
Describes a blade's cutting performance. Literally "cutting taste is good." Common for kitchen knives and swords.
This kitchen knife is sharp (cuts well).
Colloquial way to say a blade cuts well/sharp. Often used in everyday speech.
These scissors are sharp.
Describing a sudden, intense, or stinging pain, or a strong sensation like cold or taste.
Used for sharp pain, as well as sharp senses (hearing, eyesight).
A sharp pain ran through my chest.
He has sharp hearing.
Means intense, violent, severe. Used for sharp pain, but also for intense emotions or weather.
I woke up with a sharp pain.
Literally "like stabbing." Describes a piercing or stinging pain, or a sharp cold wind.
It's a sharp (piercing) cold.
Describing a person who is quick-witted, clever, or perceptive.
Idiomatic phrase meaning "sharp-minded" or "quick on the uptake." Very common.
She is really sharp.
Can describe sharp insight, a keen observation, or a sharp question.
His observation is sharp.
Noun meaning a sharp, capable person. Slightly literary or old-fashioned but still used.
He is quite a sharp person.
Means clear-headed, sharp, on the ball. Often used in the negative: 冴えない (dull, not sharp).
My mind is sharp today.
Describing a sudden change in direction, a steep curve, or an acute angle.
Describing a sudden, steep rise or fall in numbers, prices, etc.
Used for sudden changes in general, including sharp increases or decreases.
Stock prices fell sharply.
Emphasizes a rapid, drastic change. Common in news and formal contexts.
Please be careful of the sharp change in temperature.
Means substantial, large-scale. Often used for sharp rises/falls in economic contexts.
A sharp price increase was announced.
Describing a strong, pungent, or acidic taste/smell, like cheese, vinegar, or ammonia.
Means stimulating, pungent, sharp. Used for strong flavors, smells, or experiences.
This cheese has a sharp taste.
Primarily means spicy hot, but can also describe a sharp, pungent taste like horseradish or strong mustard.
This grated daikon is sharp (pungent).
Means sour. In some contexts, a sharp taste might be described as sour, like vinegar.
This dressing is sharp (sour).
Describing a clear, distinct difference between two things.
Means vivid, clear, distinct. Used for sharp contrasts, clear images, or distinct memories.
There is a sharp contrast between the two opinions.
Means clear, distinct. Very common in everyday speech.
His position is sharp (clear).
Describing keen senses, especially vision or hearing.
While 鋭い (surudoi) is the most direct translation, it doesn't cover all meanings of "sharp." For sharp turns, use 急な (kyū na); for sharp-minded, use 頭が切れる (atama ga kireru); for sharp taste, use 刺激的な (shigekiteki na). Using 鋭い for a sharp curve or a sharp cheese would sound unnatural.
切れる (kireru) focuses on cutting ability, while 鋭い (surudoi) focuses on the physical sharpness of the edge or point. A knife can be 鋭い but not 切れる if it's poorly maintained, though usually they overlap. In everyday speech, よく切れる is very common for "cuts well."
Be careful, that knife is sharp.
He made a sharp turn.