cizalla
/θiˈθaʝa/feminine
In Spanish, 'shears' is translated as cizalla. Wiktionary also lists cizallas.
Meaning: tool consisting of two blades with bevel edges (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cizalla | /θiˈθaʝa/ | feminine |
| cizallas | /θiθaʝas/ (Spain, from spelling rules) /sisaʝas/ (Latin America, from spelling rules) |
feminine, plural |
The word refers to a tool consisting of two blades with bevel edges. The singular form cizalla is often used to refer to the specific type of heavy-duty cutting tool used in metalworking or textile industries.
Which one should you use?
While cizalla refers to heavy-duty industrial or metal-cutting shears, tijeras is the standard word for common household scissors.
How does it change in a sentence?
In many technical contexts, the plural form las cizallas is used to refer to the tool, similar to how English uses 'shears'.
How do you pronounce it?
/θiˈθaʝa/
Did you know?
- The word cizalla is a linguistic traveler, having been borrowed from the French word cisailles rather than following a purely Spanish or Latin root.
- In Spanish, the word cizalla is used both for the physical tool and the industrial machine that performs the cutting action.
- In some regions, the word cizallar is used as a verb to describe the act of pruning hedges or shrubs with large shears.
Examples in context
- Tengo que comprar unas tijeras nuevas para el tallerI need to buy new shears for the workshop
- Las tijeras del sastre son de excelente calidadThe tailor's shears are of excellent quality
- Necesito una cizalla para cortar el metal.I need a pair of shears to cut the metal.
- La cizalla está muy afilada.The shears are very sharp.
- Busca la cizalla en el taller.Look for the shears in the workshop.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are working in a metal workshop.
- Mateo¿Dónde está la cizalla?Where are the shears?
- SofíaLa cizalla está sobre la mesa.The shears are on the table.
- MateoGracias, Sofía. La usaré ahora.Thanks, Sofía. I will use them now.
- SofíaTen cuidado con ella.Be careful with them.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shears” translations and entries cizalla, cizallas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cizalla, CC BY-SA 4.0.
