爪切り
tsumekiri[t͡sɨme̞kʲiɾʲi]
In Japanese, the English phrase "nail clippers" is said as 爪切り (tsumekiri). If unsure, use 爪切り. Wiktionary also lists 爪切 (tsumekiri).
Meaning: nail trimmer (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 爪切り | tsumekiri | [t͡sɨme̞kʲiɾʲi] (narrow) |
| 爪切 | tsumekiri |
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, it is a 'nail cutter'.
Which one should you use?
The form 爪切 is a simplified written version of the standard spelling 爪切り.
How does it change in a sentence?
Unlike the English word "clippers", which is plural, the Japanese term is a singular noun used for both a single tool and the concept of the tool.
How do you pronounce it?
tsumekiri
Did you know?
- In Japanese culture, there is a long-standing superstition that cutting your nails at night, 夜に爪を切る, can lead to an early death or shorten one's life.
- High-end 爪切り are often produced in the Seki region, which is the same historical center famous for producing the finest samurai swords.
- The word 爪 (tsume) is also used in the term 爪を立てる (tsume o tateru), which literally means 'to stand one's nails' but figuratively means to be hostile or cautious.
Examples in context
- 爪切りが見当たらないんだよ。I can't find my nail clippers.This sentence shows how to use 爪切り when you cannot find the tool.Tatoeba #11541001 by bunbuku, translation #12458954 by CK
- ねえ、ここにしまってあった爪切り知らない？Eh, do you know where the nail clippers that were here before are?This sentence uses 爪切り to ask about the location of a specific tool.Tatoeba #1818255 by bunbuku, translation #2693943 by WestofEden
- どうしてこの家って、爪切りが２０本もあるの？もしかして、それぞれの指を別々の爪切りで切ってるの？それが、この家のしきたりなの？Why are there twenty nail clippers in this house? Maybe they use a different nail clipper for each finger and toe? Is that the custom in this house?This sentence uses 爪切り in a sentence questioning why a house has many of them.Tatoeba #10287672 by small_snow, translation #11699266 by pip
Example conversation
Kenta is looking for something in the bathroom.
- 健太 Kenta美咲、爪切りはどこにある？Misaki, tsumekiri wa doko ni aru?Misaki, where are the nail clippers?
- 美咲 Misaki洗面所の棚にあると思うよ。Senmen-sho no tana ni aru to omou yo.I think they are on the bathroom shelf.
- 健太 Kentaないなあ。貸してくれた？Nai naa. Kashite kureta?I don't see them. Did you borrow them?
- 美咲 Misakiあ、私が持ってた。ごめんね。A, watashi ga motteta. Gomen ne.Oh, I had them. Sorry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nail clippers” translations and entries 爪切り, 爪切, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
