Meaning & use
ninjato
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountablerare
A straight, short sword that is traditionally associated with ninja, though its historical use is debated.
Grammar: Countable: a ninjato, two ninjatos.
Patterns
- a ninjato sword
- carry a ninjato
- use a ninjato
In the movie, the ninja carried a ninjato instead of a curved katana.
Historians debate whether the ninjato was actually used by real ninja.
He practices martial arts with a wooden ninjato.
Word forms
| plural | ninjatos |
|---|
Common combinations
- straight-bladed ninjato
- The straight-bladed ninjato is distinct from the curved katana.
- wooden ninjato
- Beginners often train with a wooden ninjato.
- carry a ninjato
- In the film, the character carries a ninjato on his back.
- ninjato sword
- The ninjato sword is shorter than a traditional katana.
Synonyms and how they differ
- ninja sword
- Ninja sword is a more common and clearer term for general audiences, while ninjato is more specific and rare.
Commonly confused: ninjato or katana? ninjato or wakizashi?
ninjato vs katana
A katana is a long, curved sword used by samurai; a ninjato is a short, straight sword associated with ninja.
ninjato vs wakizashi
A wakizashi is a short, curved sword worn by samurai; a ninjato is straight and linked to ninja.
Practice
What is a ninjato?
Choose one answer.
A ninjato is a straight, short sword linked to ninja. A curved sword used by samurai is a katana, and a throwing star is a shuriken.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “ninjato”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.