刃(やいば)

やいば
noun
blade; sword; cutting edge
1. blade; cutting edge
The sharp edge of a knife, sword, or other cutting tool. Refers to the blade portion specifically.
刃(やいば)が鋭(するど)い。
The blade is sharp.
この包丁(ほうちょう)は刃(やいば)がこぼれている。
This kitchen knife has a chipped blade.
職人(しょくにん)が丁寧(ていねい)に刃(やいば)を研(と)いでいる。
The craftsman is carefully sharpening the blade.
2. sword; weapon
By extension, a sword or bladed weapon itself. Often used figuratively to describe something sharp or dangerous, such as criticism or harsh words.
批判(ひはん)の刃(やいば)が向(む)けられた。
The blade of criticism was turned against them.
言葉(ことば)の刃(やいば)は時(とき)に刀(かたな)より鋭(するど)い。
The blade of words can sometimes be sharper than a sword.
彼(かれ)は権力(けんりょく)の刃(やいば)を恐(おそ)れずに真実(しんじつ)を語(かた)った。
He spoke the truth without fearing the blade of power.

Literally the cutting edge or blade of a weapon or tool. Widely used in figurative expressions to describe something sharp, dangerous, or threatening.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 刃(やいば)を研(と)ぐ — to sharpen a blade
  • 刃(やいば)を向(む)ける — to turn a blade toward (also figurative: to direct hostility at)
  • 刃(やいば)がこぼれる — blade chips/gets nicked
  • 諸刃(もろは)の剣(つるぎ) — double-edged sword
  • 批判(ひはん)の刃(やいば) — the blade of criticism

READINGS:
The kanji 刃(は) has multiple readings. やいば is the kun'yomi used as an independent word. The reading は appears in compounds like 刃物(はもの) (edged tool). The on'yomi じん appears in 刃(じん) (blade, in technical contexts).

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • 刀(かたな) — katana, Japanese sword (the whole weapon)
  • 刃物(はもの) — edged tool, cutting implement
  • 剣(つるぎ) — sword (more literary/archaic)

Related Words

Related: 刃(は) (same kanji, different reading)
general
Added 2026.3.25 19:08
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