catana

katana (sword)

noun kah-TAH-nah Rare

Origin: From Japanese katana, the traditional single-edged sword.

Usage Note

Catana is the standard Spanish adaptation of the Japanese word katana, referring to the curved single-edged sword associated with samurai culture. The spelling catana (with c) is accepted by the RAE alongside the more recognisable loanword spelling katana. In colloquial Latin American Spanish, catana can also mean a large machete-like blade, broadening its everyday reference beyond the Japanese weapon.

Examples

"El samurái llevaba una catana al cinto."

Natural Translation

The samurai wore a katana at his belt.

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