剪
jiǎn
The Chinese word for 'cut' (to divide with a sharp instrument) is 剪 (jiǎn).
剪 is used specifically for cutting with scissors. For example, the phrase 剪头发 (jiǎn tóufa) is the standard way to say 'to cut hair' or 'to get a haircut'.
Meaning: to divide with a sharp instrument (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The noun for scissors is 剪刀 (jiǎndāo), which combines the verb 剪 (to cut) with the noun for 'knife'.
Which one should you use?
Use 剪 when cutting with scissors, whereas 切 (qiē) is used when cutting with a knife.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the particle 了 (le) after 剪 indicates that the action of cutting has been completed, as seen in the form 剪了.
How do you pronounce it?
jiǎn
Did you know?
- Because 剪 is so tool-specific, using it in a metaphorical sense, such as 'cutting a deal', would sound bizarre to a native speaker.
- In the context of paper-cutting art, 剪纸 (jiǎnzhǐ) is not just a verb but a recognized traditional folk art form with its own dedicated terminology.
- The word 剪 is also used in the term 剪辑 (jiǎnjí), which means 'to edit' in the context of films or videos.
Examples in context
- 湯姆剪了什麼？What did Tom cut?This sentence uses the form 剪 to ask about a completed action.Tatoeba #13138868 by LeviHighway, translation #11966176 by CK
- 这把剪刀不好使。These scissors don't cut well.This sentence uses the form 剪 in the context of scissors.Tatoeba #1733453 by sadhen, translation #60708 by CK
- 我们必须剪头发了。We must get our hair cut.This sentence uses the form 剪 to describe the act of cutting hair.Tatoeba #5613621 by verdastelo9604, translation #2431221 by kuma
- 切水果Cut fruit
- 切菜Cut vegetables
- 切肉Cut meat
- 割草Cut grass
- 割伤Cut (as in an injury)
- 割绳子Cut the rope
- 剪纸Cut paper (referring to a Chinese art form)
- 理发Get a haircut (literally, "cut hair")
- 斩断Cut off
- 你能帮我剪头发吗？Can you help me cut my hair?
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At home, Jia Yi asks Wei to help with a craft project.
- 佳怡 Jiayi你可以帮我剪一下这张纸吗？Nǐ kěyǐ bāng wǒ jiǎn yīxià zhè zhāng zhǐ ma?Can you help me cut this piece of paper?
- 伟 Wei没问题，用哪把剪刀？Méi wèntí, yòng nǎ bǎ jiǎndāo?No problem, which scissors should I use?
- 佳怡 Jiayi就用桌上那把。Jiù yòng zhuō shàng nà bǎ.Just use the one on the table.
- 伟 Wei好的，我帮你剪好了。Hǎo de, wǒ bāng nǐ jiǎn hǎo le.Okay, I have cut it for you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
