How to Say Knife in Spanish: Complete Translation, Audio Guide, and Contexts
By Maya Lin-Takahashi
Navigating a formal meal or asking for dining essentials requires understanding los cubiertos (the cutlery or flatware set). A proper table setting vocabulary pairs the knife with essential utensils: el tenedor y la cuchara (the fork and the spoon). In Spanish restaurants, servers refer to the entire collection of implements as la cubertería.
Different dining tasks demand specific edge geometries. A bread or steak knife with teeth is known as a cuchillo de sierra (serrated knife). When spreading butter or soft cheeses, Spaniards reach for an unsharpened cuchillo para mantequilla. Meanwhile, heavy-duty culinary prep relies on specialized workspace tools: a chef's primary workhorse is el cuchillo de cocina or cuchillo de chef, whereas a cleaver is termed la macheta or el hacha de cocina.
| Spanish Cutlery Term | Phonetic Guide | English Meaning | Primary Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuchillo de cocina | koo-CHEE-yoh deh koh-SEE-nah | Kitchen knife / Chef's knife | General culinary preparation and chopping |
| Cuchillo de sierra | koo-CHEE-yoh deh SYEH-rrah | Serrated knife / Bread knife | Crusty breads, tomatoes, and tough meats |
| Cuchillo jamonero | koo-CHEE-yoh hah-moh-NEH-roh | Ham-carving knife | Slicing cured Iberian ham paper-thin |
| Navaja de bolsillo | nah-BAH-hah deh bohl-SEE-yoh | Pocket knife | Everyday carry folding utility blade |
| Cuchilla de afeitar | koo-CHEE-yah deh ah-fey-TAHR | Razor blade / Safety razor | Personal grooming and shaving |
| Machete | mah-CHEH-teh | Machete / Brush clearer | Agricultural work and vegetation clearing |
Pay close attention to grammatical gender when switching between tools. While cuchillo is masculine, the term for an industrial razor blade or shaving tool is la cuchilla (feminine). A disposable or safety razor is commonly referred to as la cuchilla de afeitar across Spain, whereas many Latin American regions prefer el rastrillo (literally, "the little rake") or la máquina de afeitar.
Maya is a hardware enthusiast who tests and reviews smart home devices, smartphones, wearables, and audio gear. She focuses on practical consumer value and build quality.
