刃
KANJI DETAIL
blade
On readingじん3 strokesN2
Radical 刀 · knifeStroke order
Loading the stroke order for 刃.
Japanese readings
- On reading
- じん
- Kun reading
- は, やいば
Study notes
1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning
- Structure:
刃has three strokes, adding a dot to the shape of刀; a representative kun-reading isは. - Basic usage: It denotes the blade or cutting edge of a knife or tool.
2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions
- A part and the whole tool
刃物(はもの)refers to an edged tool, whereas刃refers to its cutting part. Distinguish the whole kitchen knife from its blade.
- The scope of an edge
刃先(はさき)refers to the tip or cutting edge of a blade. It also applies to tools such as chisels, so it is not limited to a long, pointed knife tip.

