剪刀石头布
jiǎndāo shítou bù
In Chinese, the hand game 'rock paper scissors shoot' is called 剪刀石头布 (jiǎndāo shítou bù).
The phrase 剪刀石头布 is the standard way to name the game in Mandarin Chinese.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'scissors stone cloth'.
Which one should you use?
The variation 石头剪刀布 (shítou jiǎndāo bù) is also commonly used, simply swapping the order of 'rock' and 'scissors'.
How do you pronounce it?
jiǎndāo shítou bù
Did you know?
- If you were to play this game in a formal setting in China, you might use the term 猜拳 (cāiquán), which literally means 'guess punches' to describe the act of playing.
- The word 剪刀 for 'scissors' is composed of two characters meaning 'cut' and 'knife', reflecting how the tool was described before the modern word for scissors was standardized.
- While English speakers say 'shoot' to signal the reveal, Chinese players often use a rhythmic chant where the game's name itself provides the beat for the movement.
Examples in context
- 我们来玩剪刀石头布吧。Wǒmen lái wán jiǎndāo shítou bù ba.Let's play rock paper scissors.
- 用剪刀石头布决定谁去买单。Yòng jiǎndāo shítou bù juédìng shuí qù mǎidān.Use rock paper scissors to decide who pays the bill.
- 剪刀石头布，赢的人拿走蛋糕。Jiǎndāo shítou bù, yíng de rén ná zǒu dàngāo.Rock paper scissors, the winner takes the cake.
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding who goes to get coffee.
- 伟 Wei我们用剪刀石头布决定吧。Wǒmen yòng jiǎndāo shítou bù juédìng ba.Let's decide with rock paper scissors.
- 雨婷 Yuting好，剪刀石头布！Hǎo, jiǎndāo shítou bù!Okay, rock paper scissors!
- 伟 Wei我出石头，你输了。Wǒ chū shítou, nǐ shū le.I played rock, you lost.
- 雨婷 Yuting好吧，那我出去买。Hǎo ba, nà wǒ chūqù mǎi.Alright, then I'll go buy it.
