مقص
miqaṣṣ
The English word scissor is translated into Arabic as مقص (miqaṣṣ).
The term مقص is used to refer to the cutting instrument known as scissors.
How do you pronounce it?
miqaṣṣ
Did you know?
- The root verb قص is also used in Arabic to mean 'telling a story' or 'narrating', as in قصة for 'story'.
- The structure of مقص is part of a larger linguistic system where adding the letter م to a verb root creates a 'noun of instrument'. This allows Arabic speakers to intuitively identify any tool's purpose just by its sound.
- In some Arabic contexts, the verb related to مقص can be used to describe 'cutting' someone off in a conversation or interrupting them, mirroring the physical action of the tool.
Example conversation
Sarah and Ahmed are in the craft room.
- سارة Saraيا أحمد، هل رأيت مقص المدرسة؟yā aḥmad, hal ra'ayta miqass al-madrasa?Ahmed, have you seen the school scissor?
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، هو فوق الطاولة.na‘am, huwa fawqa al-ṭāwila.Yes, it is on the table.
- سارة Saraشكراً لك، سآخذه الآن.shukran laka, sa'ākhudhu al-ān.Thank you, I will take it now.
- أحمد Ahmedعفواً، كوني حذرة.‘afwan, kūnī ḥadhira.You're welcome, be careful.
