Basic office vocabulary in a new language can open doors to new work and experiences.
If you’re starting your journey with Mandarin, evberyday objects make great first words to learn. So how to say scissors in Chinese, for example?
The Chinese word for scissors is “jiǎn dāo” (剪刀), which combines the characters for “cut” and “knife.”
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When pronounced correctly, “jiǎndāo” has a falling-rising tone on “jiǎn” and a flat tone on “dāo.”
This common household item is used in the same contexts in Chinese culture as in Western culture-for cutting paper, fabric, or other materials.
Many Chinese children learn this word early because scissors are used in arts and crafts projects at school.
Key Takeaways
- The word for scissors in Mandarin Chinese is “jiǎndāo” (剪刀), written with characters that represent its cutting function.
- Proper pronunciation includes a third tone (falling-rising) for “jiǎn” and a first tone (flat) for “dāo.”
- Knowing practical vocabulary like “scissors” provides functional language skills for everyday situations in Chinese-speaking environments.
The Basics of Scissors in Mandarin Chinese
Mandarin Chinese uses specific words for scissors that vary slightly based on context and regional preferences. The most common term is simple to pronounce once you understand the tones and characters.
Understanding the Term ‘Scissors’ in Chinese
The standard Chinese word for scissors is 剪刀 (jiǎndāo). This term combines two characters: 剪 (jiǎn), which means “to cut,” and 刀 (dāo), which means “knife.”
The pronunciation includes the third tone (falling then rising) for “jiǎn” and the first tone (high and level) for “dāo.”
When learning to say “scissors” in Chinese, pay attention to the tones. Incorrect tones can change the meaning entirely.
Many Chinese language learners practice by repeating after native speakers in videos demonstrating proper pronunciation.
A slightly more casual variation is 剪子 (jiǎnzi), which is also commonly used in everyday speech.
Different Contexts and Variations
Different types of scissors may have specific names in Chinese:
- Regular scissors: 剪刀 (jiǎndāo)
- Sewing scissors: 裁缝剪 (cáiféng jiǎn)
- Hair-cutting scissors at the barber: 理发剪 (lǐfà jiǎn)
- Paper-cutting scissors: 剪纸剪 (jiǎnzhǐ jiǎn)
The term 铰 (jiǎo) refers to the pivot or joint of scissors. This character is sometimes used in compound words related to silver colored scissors.
In formal or technical contexts, larger cutting tools like shears might be called 大剪刀 (dà jiǎndāo), literally “big scissors.”
Regional variations exist across Chinese-speaking areas, but 剪刀 remains universally understood in all Mandarin-speaking regions and appears in most Chinese dictionaries as the standard translation.
Practical Usage and Examples
Learning how to use “剪刀” (jiǎndāo) in everyday Chinese conversations helps you communicate more effectively. Understanding the proper measure words, common phrases, and related vocabulary will enhance your practical language skills.
Measure Words and Quantifiers
When talking about scissors in Chinese, you need to use appropriate measure words.
The most common measure word for scissors is “把” (bǎ), which is used for objects with handles.
For example:
- 一把剪刀 (yì bǎ jiǎndāo) – one pair of scissors
- 两把剪刀 (liǎng bǎ jiǎndāo) – two pairs of scissors
Sometimes scissors can also be referred to using “把” (bǎ), “副” (fù) or “对” (duì) for sets:
- 一副剪刀 (yì fù jiǎndāo) – a set of scissors
- 一对剪刀 (yì duì jiǎndāo) – a pair of scissors
When buying multiple scissors, you might hear “套” (tào) for a bundle or set of different scissors.
Common Phrases and Classroom Commands
In classroom settings, scissors are frequently mentioned in instructions. Here are useful phrases:
Common commands:
- 请拿剪刀 (qǐng ná jiǎndāo) – Please take the scissors
- 用剪刀剪一下 (yòng jiǎndāo jiǎn yíxià) – Cut it with scissors
- 把剪刀传给他 (bǎ jiǎndāo chuán gěi tā) – Pass the scissors to him/her
Safety warnings:
- 小心剪刀 (xiǎoxīn jiǎndāo) – Be careful with the scissors
- 不要用剪刀乱剪 (bùyào yòng jiǎndāo luàn jiǎn) – Don’t cut randomly with scissors
These phrases are particularly helpful in craft classes or when doing project work with Chinese speakers.
Additional Tools and Their Names in Chinese
Learning related stationery and tool vocabulary helps expand your Chinese vocabulary beyond just scissors:
Common classroom tools:
- 尺 (chǐ) – ruler
- 笔 (bǐ) – pen
- 铅笔 (qiānbǐ) – pencil
- 橡皮 (xiàngpí) – eraser
- 记事本 (jìshìběn) – notepad
In craft contexts, you might also need these related terms:
- 剪子 (jiǎnzi) – smaller scissors or shears
- 美工刀 (měigōngdāo) – craft knife
- 直尺 (zhíchǐ) – straight ruler
- 划线 (huáxiàn) – to draw a line
- 划粉 (huáfěn) – tailor’s chalk
Using these words together with “剪刀” will make your Chinese conversations about classroom activities and craft projects much more precise and natural.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learning how to say “scissors” in Chinese involves proper pronunciation, understanding dialect variations, and knowing the correct grammar usage. Here are answers to common questions about scissors and related calligraphy terms in Chinese.
What is the correct pronunciation of ‘scissors’ in Mandarin Chinese?
In Mandarin Chinese, scissors is pronounced as “jiǎndāo” (剪刀).
The first syllable “jiǎn” has a third tone (falling then rising), while “dāo” has a first tone (high and level).
The pronunciation combines the Chinese characters for “cut” (剪) and “knife” (刀).
Many learners find it helpful to practice each syllable separately before combining them.
The “j” sound in “jiǎn” is similar to the English “j” but slightly softer.
Where can I find an audio clip to hear how ‘scissors’ is pronounced in Chinese?
Audio clips of the pronunciation for “scissors” in Chinese can be found on several online platforms.
YouTube offers short tutorials specifically demonstrating how to say “jiǎndāo” correctly.
Language learning apps like Drops also provide audio pronunciations along with visual aids.
Social media platforms such as Facebook feature short videos from native speakers demonstrating the correct pronunciation.
How does one denote ‘scissors’ in the Cantonese dialect?
In Cantonese Chinese, scissors is also written as 剪刀, but the pronunciation differs from Mandarin. Cantonese speakers pronounce it as “jin2 dou1” using the Jyutping romanization system. The tones in Cantonese differ from Mandarin, with Cantonese having six tones compared to Mandarin’s four. The written form remains identical across both dialects.
What is the appropriate measure word to use with ‘scissors’ in Chinese?
The appropriate measure word for scissors in Chinese is “bǎ” (把). When referring to a pair of scissors, one would say “yī bǎ jiǎndāo” (一把剪刀), which literally translates to “one handle of scissors.” Collins Dictionary notes this usage in its entry for scissors. The measure word “bǎ” is commonly used for tools or objects with handles.
Can you explain the cultural significance of traditional Chinese scissors?
Traditional Chinese scissors have historical and cultural importance dating back thousands of years. Unlike modern scissors, traditional Chinese versions were often made of bronze or iron and featured a U-shaped design rather than an X-shaped pivot. These scissors were considered essential tools in households and were particularly important in textile work. In Chinese folklore, scissors are sometimes believed to ward off evil spirits, and they feature in various traditional customs and rituals.
In Chinese, what are the equivalent terms for common stationery items like ‘glue’, ‘ruler’, and ‘paper’?
Common stationery items in Chinese include “jiāo shuǐ” (胶水) for glue, “chǐ zi” (尺子) for ruler, and “zhǐ” (纸) for paper. These terms are frequently used in classroom and office settings. Other useful stationery vocabulary includes “qiānbǐ” (铅笔) for pencil, “gāngbǐ” (钢笔) for pen, and “xiàngpí” (橡皮) for eraser. Most stationery terms in Chinese combine descriptive elements with functional indicators.
More ways for how to say scissors in Chinese sentences
- 我用剪刀剪开包裹的包装纸。
- 简体字：我用剪刀剪开包裹的包装纸。
- 拼音：Wǒ yòng jiǎn dāo jiǎn kāi bāo guǒ de bāo zhuāng zhǐ。
- 英文翻译：I used scissors to cut open the packaging of the parcel.
- 她的头发是用一把锋利的剪刀剪的。
- 简体字：她的头发是用一把锋利的剪刀剪的。
- 拼音：Tā de tóu fa shì yòng yī bǎ fēng lì de jiǎn dāo jiǎn de。
- 英文翻译：Her hair was cut with a pair of sharp scissors.
- 剪刀是裁缝必不可少的工具之一。
- 简体字：剪刀是裁缝必不可少的工具之一。
- 拼音：Jiǎn dāo shì cái féng bù kě huò quē de gōng jù zhī yī。
- 英文翻译：Scissors are one of the indispensable tools for tailors.
- 他不小心用剪刀划伤了手指。
- 简体字：他不小心用剪刀划伤了手指。
- 拼音：Tā bù xiǎo xīn yòng jiǎn dāo huá shāng le shǒu zhǐ。
- 英文翻译：He accidentally cut his finger with scissors.
- 剪刀的两个刀片必须保持锋利，才能正常使用。
- 简体字：剪刀的两个刀片必须保持锋利，才能正常使用。
- 拼音：Jiǎn dāo de liǎng gè dāo piàn bì xū bǎo chí fēng lì, cái néng zhèng cháng shǐ yòng。
- 英文翻译：The two blades of the scissors must be kept sharp to be used properly.
