also: りょうば
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no'
double-edged; double-beveled
Describes a blade sharpened on both sides, such as a sword or certain kitchen knives. Often used attributively with の.
この包丁は両刃なので、左利きでも使いやすい。
This kitchen knife is double-beveled, so it's easy to use even for left-handed people.
double-edged blade
Refers to the physical blade itself. Less common than the adjectival use; often replaced by 両刃の刃物 or similar phrases.
博物館で古代の諸刃が展示されていた。
An ancient double-edged blade was on display at the museum.
諸刃の剣は、敵も味方も傷つけることがある。
A double-edged sword can wound both enemy and ally.
Standard kanji form for the reading りょうば; high-frequency news term.
Commonly used in the set phrase 諸刃の剣 (double-edged sword).
Mixed kanji-kana spelling, often seen in the same phrase もろ刃の剣.
Uncommon variant; 双 can also be read そう, so this spelling is easily misread.
Compound of 諸/両 (both, double) and 刃 (blade). The reading もろは uses the native Japanese prefix もろ (both), while りょうば uses the Sino-Japanese reading りょう (both).