Japanese word

鋭い

Pronunciation

Romajisurudoi

Meaning

  • i-adjectivesharp

Example

このナイフは鋭いです。ko no na i fu wa surudo i de su

This knife is sharp.

Illustration for 鋭い (sharp)

More examples

この鉛筆は先が鋭いです。ko no en pitsu wa saki ga surudo i de su

This pencil has a sharp point.

Core concept

Centers on a narrow edge or tip that enters or cuts with little resistance, with the same quality extending to keen senses and penetrating thoughts.

Common phrases

  • 鋭い刃surudo i ha

    sharp blade

  • 鋭い痛みsurudo i ita mi

    sharp pain

  • 鋭い視線surudo i shi sen

    sharp gaze

  • 鋭い質問surudo i shitsu mon

    pointed question

Definition in Japanese

刃物の刃先や物の先が細くとがり、容易に切れたり刺さったりする。ha mono no ha saki ya mono no saki ga hoso ku to ga ri yō i ni ki re ta ri sa sa tta ri su ru

Word origin

The modern form 鋭い (surudoi) comes from the native adjective 鋭し (surudoshi), whose attributive form was 鋭き (surudoki); both express the idea of being sharp.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 鋭い (surudoi) can describe a sudden, piercing pain, as in a sharp pain in the side.

Other meanings

  • pointedi-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 鋭さsurudosasharpnessnoun

Word lists with this word