鋸(のこぎり)

鋸(のこぎり) is a saw—a cutting tool with a toothed blade, used primarily for wood.

Writing

Often written in hiragana (のこぎり) as the kanji is rarely used in everyday writing.

Types

• 手(て)のこぎり/手(て)鋸(のこぎり): handsaw
• 電動(でんどう)のこぎり: electric saw, power saw
• 糸(いと)のこぎり: coping saw

Common patterns

• のこぎりで切(き)る: to cut with a saw
• のこぎりを使(つか)う: to use a saw
• のこぎりの刃(は): saw blade

Cultural note

Japanese saws traditionally cut on the pull stroke (引(ひ)く), unlike Western saws that cut on the push stroke. This design allows for thinner, more precise blades.