A stylized illustration of a chef's knife with a silver blade and a wooden handle.

cuchillo

koo-CHEE-yo

nounmA1

knife?Utensil for cutting food or materials

Also:blade?The sharp part of a tool or weapon,cutter?A general tool used for cutting

📝 In Action

¿Puedes pasarme el cuchillo para cortar el pan?

Can you pass me the knife to cut the bread?

El chef afila su cuchillo antes de empezar a cocinar.

The chef sharpens his knife before starting to cook.

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

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)

💡 Grammar Points

Identifying Gender

'Cuchillo' ends in '-o', which is the most common pattern for masculine words. Always pair it with 'el' (the) or 'un' (a).

❌ Common Pitfalls

Using the Wrong Article

Mistake: "Saying 'La cuchillo' when asking for the knife."

Correction: Since it's masculine, you must say 'El cuchillo' or 'Un cuchillo'. Remember: 'el' for knife, 'la' for spoon ('cuchara').

⭐ Usage Tips

Asking for Cutlery

If you need the full set of knife, fork, and spoon, it's more common and faster to ask for 'los cubiertos' (the cutlery/silverware).

✏️ 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

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?)