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noun HSK 4
jiǎn dāo
scissors

Meaning

剪刀 refers to the common cutting tool with two blades. It is one of the most basic household and craft implements in Chinese culture. The word combines the verb 剪 (to cut) with 刀 (knife/blade), literally meaning 'cutting knife.'

Usage

剪刀 is the standard everyday word for scissors in both formal and informal contexts. It is used for all types of scissors: household scissors, craft scissors, and specialized cutting tools. Native speakers commonly use the measure word 把 when counting scissors.

Examples

  1. 01
    你能把剪刀递给我吗？
    Nǐ néng bǎ jiǎn dāo dì gěi wǒ ma?
    Can you pass me the scissors?
  2. 02
    我需要一把剪刀来剪这张纸。
    Wǒ xū yào yì bǎ jiǎn dāo lái jiǎn zhè zhāng zhǐ.
    I need a pair of scissors to cut this paper.

Characters

Measure words

  • 把bǎ一把剪刀

Common collocations

  • 一把剪刀
    yì bǎ jiǎn dāo
    a pair of scissors
  • 用剪刀
    yòng jiǎn dāo
    to use scissors
  • 拿剪刀
    ná jiǎn dāo
    to hold/take scissors

Origin

The word literally means 'cutting knife.' 剪 originally depicted hands holding a tool to cut, while 刀 represents a blade. Together they form the compound word for the dual-bladed cutting tool.

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