小刀
also: しょうとう
Meanings
1
small knife; pocket knife
Only with reading こがたな
Refers to a small, general-purpose knife, such as a pocket knife or a small utility blade. The reading is こがたな.
He sharpened the pencil with a small knife.
2
short sword; small sword
A short sword, often a wakizashi or similar sidearm. Can be read as こがたな or しょうとう, with しょうとう being more formal or historical.
The samurai wore a short sword at his waist.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉を小刀で削るto whittle/shave something with a small knife
He whittled a tree branch with a small knife to make a flute.
- 小刀を腰に差すto wear a short sword at one's waist
The samurai went out with a short sword at his waist.
- 小刀を抜くto draw a short sword
Sensing danger, he drew his short sword.