gwan1 dou1軍刀军刀
Jyutpinggwan1 dou1
Yalegwān dōu
Definition
Military knives, sabres, or daggers used for combat or field operations.
neutralother
How it's used
Refers specifically to knives designed for military use, often implying a rugged or tactical build. While it can technically refer to any combat knife, it is most frequently associated with the multi-purpose folding tools known as 瑞士軍刀. It carries a more serious, utilitarian tone compared to standard kitchen knives.
Measure word
baa2把báExamples
He collects many military knives at home.
What are you buying this military knife for?
Related words
Common phrases
Swiss Army knife
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 劍, which refers to a sword. Using 軍刀 to describe a decorative or ceremonial sword will sound inaccurate to native speakers.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.



