но́жницы
nóžnicyfeminine, plural
The English word 'scissors' is translated into Russian as но́жницы (nóžnicy).
но́жницы refers to the tool used for cutting.
Meaning: tool used for cutting (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
The word is a pluralia tantum, meaning it only exists in the plural form and has no singular form in Russian. To say you are cutting something 'with scissors', you use the instrumental case form но́жницами.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is nóžnicy.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly try to use a singular form like но́жница, but this form does not exist in standard Russian.
Did you know?
- In Russian culture, giving но́жницы as a gift is often seen as a sign that you wish to 'cut' the relationship with the recipient.
- In Russian folklore and superstition, it is considered bad luck to leave но́жницы open on a table. Doing so is believed to invite arguments or conflict into the home.
- The word но́жницы shares the same root as нож, which means 'knife'. This reflects the early design of scissors as two intersecting knives.
Examples in context
- Пожалуйста, дайте мне ножницы.Please, give me the scissors.
- Я потерял ножницы.I lost the scissors.
- Ножницы острые.The scissors are sharp.
- Пожалуйста, осторожнее с ножницами.Please be careful with the scissors.
- Эти но́жницы очень острые.Eti nózhницы ochen' ostryye.These scissors are very sharp.
- Мне нужны но́жницы для бумаги.Mne nuzhny nózhницы dlya bumagi.I need scissors for paper.
Example conversation
Maria and Alexander are wrapping a gift together.
- Мария MariaАлександр, ты не видел мои но́жницы?Aleksandr, ty ne videl moi nozhznitsy?Alexander, have you seen my scissors?
- Александр AleksandrДа, они лежат на столе.Da, oni lezhat na stole.Yes, they are lying on the table.
- Мария MariaСпасибо, я их сейчас возьму.Spasibo, ya ikh seychas vozmu.Thanks, I'll take them now.
- Александр AleksandrНе забудь вернуть их мне.Ne zabud' vernut' ikh mne.Don't forget to give them back to me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “scissors” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
