A small, ornate dagger with a double-edged steel blade and a gold handle resting on a wooden table.

daga

DAH-gah

nounfB1

dagger?a short, pointed weapon with two sharp edges

Also:dirk?a historical or ceremonial short blade

📝 In Action

El museo exhibe una daga de oro del siglo quince.

The museum is displaying a gold dagger from the fifteenth century.

Escondió la daga bajo su capa antes de entrar al castillo.

He hid the dagger under his cloak before entering the castle.

Sus palabras frías fueron como una daga en mi espalda.

Her cold words were like a dagger in my back.

Word Connections

Synonyms

puñal (dagger/stabbing knife)
estilete (stiletto/small blade)

Antonyms

espada (sword (the larger version))
escudo (shield (the defensive counterpart))

Common Collocations

desenvainar una daga – to unsheathe a dagger
clavar una daga – to stab or plunge a dagger

Idioms & Expressions

ser una daga de doble filo – something that has both positive and negative consequences

💡 Grammar Points

Gender and Articles

Even though it ends in 'a', just remember it's a feminine word. Use 'la daga' or 'una daga'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Daga vs. Cuchillo

Mistake: "Using 'daga' to talk about a kitchen knife."

Correction: Use 'cuchillo' for eating or cooking. A 'daga' is specifically a weapon or a collector's item.

⭐ Usage Tips

Metaphorical use

You can use 'daga' to describe a sharp, sudden pain or a very hurtful comment, just like you would use 'dagger' in English.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: daga

Question 1 of 1

If you are setting the dinner table, should you put a 'daga' next to the plate?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

puñal(dagger) - noun

puñalada(stab wound) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a 'daga' different from a 'puñal'?

Technically, a 'daga' usually has two sharp edges and a 'puñal' might only have one, but most Spanish speakers use both words to mean 'dagger' without worrying about the difference.

Is this word used in modern Spain or Latin America?

It is understood everywhere, but you'll mostly hear it in movies, video games, or when visiting historical museums rather than in the grocery store!