Korean word

칼

Pronunciation

Romanizationkal

Meaning

  • nounknife

Example

요리를 할 때는 칼을 조심하세요.yo ri reul hal ttae neun ka reul cho sim ha se yo

Be careful with a knife when you cook.

Illustration for 칼 (knife)

More examples

테이블 위에 놓인 칼을 치웠다.te i beul wi e no in ka reul chi wot tta

I put away the knife that was on the table.

Core concept

A sharp-edged tool held in the hand to cut food or other things.

Common phrases

  • 요리용 칼yo ri yong kal

    cooking knife

  • 날이 선 칼na ri seon kal

    sharp knife

Similar words

식칼sikkal: A wide-bladed kitchen knife used to prepare ingredients.
나이프naipeu: A Western-style knife used with meals to cut food.
과도kwado: A small kitchen knife made for peeling and careful cutting.

Definition in Korean

물건을 베거나 자를 때 손에 쥐어 쓰는 날을 가진 도구mul geo neul pe geo na cha reul ttae so ne chwi eo sseu neun na reul ka jin to gu

Word origin

The origin of this Korean word is uncertain, so it is best learned as the everyday word for a sharp cutting tool.

Usage tips

  • Recognizing this short word inside longer Korean names for cutting tools helps learners understand those compounds faster.

Other meanings

  • bladenoun

Related words

  • 칼날kallalbladenoun
  • 칼집kaljipknife sheathnoun

Word lists with this word