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cuchillo

koo-CHEE-yo/kuˈtʃiʎo/

“cuchillo” means “knife” in Spanish (Utensil for cutting food or materials).

knife

Also: blade, cutter
NounmA1
Spain
A stylized illustration of a chef's knife with a silver blade and a wooden handle.

📝 In Action

¿Puedes pasarme el cuchillo para cortar el pan?

A1

Can you pass me the knife to cut the bread?

El chef afila su cuchillo antes de empezar a cocinar.

A2

The chef sharpens his knife before starting to cook.

Ten cuidado, ese cuchillo es muy viejo y no tiene mango.

B1

Be careful, that knife is very old and doesn't have a handle.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • navaja (pocket knife)
  • machete (machete)

Common Collocations

  • cuchillo de mesa – table knife
  • cuchillo de sierra – serrated knife
  • afilar el cuchillo – to sharpen the knife

Idioms & Expressions

  • cortar con el mismo cuchillo – to treat everyone exactly the same (often showing lack of distinction)

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "cuchillo" in Spanish:

blade→cutter→knife→

🗣️ Practice in a Tongue Twister

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: cuchillo

Question 1 of 2

If you want to cut a piece of cake, what do you ask for?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
cuchillada(stab/knife wound) — Noun
cuchillería(cutlery shop/knifeware) — Noun
cuchillero(cutler (person who makes knives)) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The Spanish word 'cuchillo' traces back to the Latin word *cultellus*, which was a diminutive form (meaning 'small version') of the word *culter*, meaning 'knife' or 'plowshare'. So, historically, it means 'little knife'!

First recorded: Medieval Latin

Cognates (Related words)

Italian: coltelloFrench: couteau

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I pronounce the 'll' in 'cuchillo'?

Depending on where the speaker is from, the 'll' sound can be pronounced like the 'y' in 'yes' (this is very common) or, less often, like the 'li' in 'million'.

Is it rude to ask for 'un cuchillo' at a restaurant?

No, it is perfectly polite and common. If your table setting is missing one, simply ask: '¿Me trae un cuchillo, por favor?' (Could you bring me a knife, please?)