Translation guide
The English word "sharp" covers many meanings: physically pointed or edged, sudden changes, intelligent, intense sensations, and more. Japanese uses different words for each meaning. This guide breaks them down by use.
Describing something with a fine point or thin cutting edge, like a knife, needle, or pencil.
General word for sharp (pointed or keen). Used for blades, claws, teeth, and also for sharp senses or insight.
このナイフはとても鋭い。
This knife is very sharp.
猫の爪は鋭い。
A cat's claws are sharp.
Specifically means pointed, tapered, or sharp at the tip. Used for pencils, sticks, rocks, or a sharp nose/chin.
鉛筆を尖らせてください。
Please sharpen the pencil.
彼は尖ったあごをしている。
He has a sharp chin.
Describes a blade's cutting performance. Literally "cutting taste is good." Common for kitchen knives and swords.
この包丁は切れ味がいい。
This kitchen knife is sharp (cuts well).
Colloquial way to say a blade cuts well/sharp. Often used in everyday speech.
このハサミはよく切れる。
These scissors are sharp.
Describing a sudden, intense, or stinging pain, or a strong sensation like cold or taste.
Used for sharp pain, as well as sharp senses (hearing, eyesight).
胸に鋭い痛みが走った。
A sharp pain ran through my chest.
彼は鋭い聴覚を持っている。
He has sharp hearing.
Means intense, violent, severe. Used for sharp pain, but also for intense emotions or weather.
Literally "like stabbing." Describes a piercing or stinging pain, or a sharp cold wind.
刺すような寒さだ。
It's a sharp (piercing) cold.
Describing a person who is quick-witted, clever, or perceptive.
Idiomatic phrase meaning "sharp-minded" or "quick on the uptake." Very common.
彼女は本当に頭が切れる。
She is really sharp.
Can describe sharp insight, a keen observation, or a sharp question.
彼の指摘は鋭い。
His observation is sharp.
Noun meaning a sharp, capable person. Slightly literary or old-fashioned but still used.
Means clear-headed, sharp, on the ball. Often used in the negative: 冴えない (dull, not sharp).
今日は頭が冴えている。
My mind is sharp today.
Describing a sudden change in direction, a steep curve, or an acute angle.
Means sudden or steep. Used for sharp turns, curves, slopes, or sudden changes.
その車は急なカーブを曲がった。
The car turned a sharp curve.
急な坂道を登った。
We climbed a sharp (steep) slope.
Technical term for an acute angle. Not used in everyday conversation.
鋭角三角形
acute triangle
Describing a sudden, steep rise or fall in numbers, prices, etc.
Used for sudden changes in general, including sharp increases or decreases.
株価が急に下落した。
Stock prices fell sharply.
Emphasizes a rapid, drastic change. Common in news and formal contexts.
急激な気温の変化に注意してください。
Please be careful of the sharp change in temperature.
Means substantial, large-scale. Often used for sharp rises/falls in economic contexts.
大幅な値上げが発表された。
A sharp price increase was announced.
Describing a strong, pungent, or acidic taste/smell, like cheese, vinegar, or ammonia.
Means stimulating, pungent, sharp. Used for strong flavors, smells, or experiences.
このチーズは刺激的な味がする。
This cheese has a sharp taste.
Primarily means spicy hot, but can also describe a sharp, pungent taste like horseradish or strong mustard.
この大根おろしは辛い。
This grated daikon is sharp (pungent).
Means sour. In some contexts, a sharp taste might be described as sour, like vinegar.
Describing a clear, distinct difference between two things.
Means vivid, clear, distinct. Used for sharp contrasts, clear images, or distinct memories.
二つの意見には鮮明な違いがある。
There is a sharp contrast between the two opinions.
Means clear, distinct. Very common in everyday speech.
彼の立場ははっきりしている。
His position is sharp (clear).
Describing keen senses, especially vision or hearing.
Standard word for sharp senses.
鷹は鋭い視力を持つ。
Hawks have sharp eyesight.
Means sharp-eyed, quick to notice things. Often used for people who spot details or bargains.
While 鋭い (surudoi) is the most direct translation, it doesn't cover all meanings of "sharp." For sharp turns, use 急な (kyū na); for sharp-minded, use 頭が切れる (atama ga kireru); for sharp taste, use 刺激的な (shigekiteki na). Using 鋭い for a sharp curve or a sharp cheese would sound unnatural.
切れる (kireru) focuses on cutting ability, while 鋭い (surudoi) focuses on the physical sharpness of the edge or point. A knife can be 鋭い but not 切れる if it's poorly maintained, though usually they overlap. In everyday speech, よく切れる is very common for "cuts well."
気をつけて、そのナイフは鋭いよ。
Be careful, that knife is sharp.
彼は急な曲がり方をした。
He made a sharp turn.
激しい痛みで目が覚めた。
I woke up with a sharp pain.
彼はなかなかの切れ者だ。
He is quite a sharp person.
このドレッシングは酸っぱい。
This dressing is sharp (sour).
She's sharp-eyed, so she'll find it right away.