dou1刀

Jyutpingdou1

Yaledōu

名詞Very common

Definition

Knife; a flat, sharp tool used for cutting.

colloquialfooddaily actions

How it's used

Refers specifically to a tool for cutting, but it is also frequently used in metaphorical expressions regarding sharpness of mind or speech. When discussing kitchen tools, it is often paired with specific descriptors like 菜刀 for a cleaver or 水果刀 for a paring knife. The measure word 把 is essential and should not be omitted when counting.

Measure word

baa2把bá

Examples

nei5你bong1幫ngo5我ling1拎baa2把dou1刀cit3切go3個ping4蘋gwo2果aa4呀。

Can you help me get the knife to cut an apple?

le1呢baa2把dou1刀hou2好lei6利，siu2小sam1心m4唔hou2好zing2整can1親sau2手。

This knife is very sharp, be careful not to cut your hand.

Common phrases

saang1生gwo2果dou1刀

fruit knife

coi3菜dou1刀

cleaver

lei6利dou1刀

sharp knife

Common mistake

Learners often confuse the measure word for knives with general objects, but 把 is the standard classifier for items with a handle, including knives, scissors, and umbrellas.