剪

• Pinyin: jiǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 剪 = 前 (front) + 刀 (knife), representing cutting with a blade

Meaning

To cut with scissors; to trim. The action of cutting.

Specifically refers to cutting with scissors or shears. Used for hair cutting, trimming plants, cutting paper, etc. Distinguished from 切 (knife cutting) and 砍 (chopping). Appears in compounds like 剪刀 and 剪子.

Examples

1. 我想去理发店剪个短发，清爽一点。 I want to go to the barber shop and get a short haircut, something refreshing.
2. 妈妈在院子里剪玫瑰花的枝条。 Mom is trimming the rose branches in the yard.
3. 她剪了一个漂亮的窗花贴在玻璃上。 She cut out a beautiful paper-cut and stuck it on the window.

Usage Guide

Context: hair, gardening, crafts, daily life

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 帮我剪一下头发。(Help me cut my hair.)
• 把这张纸剪成小块。(Cut this paper into small pieces.)

Don't Say

• 用刀剪肉 (剪 is for scissors — for knife cutting, use 切)

Origin & History

Pictograph showing two blades (刀) in the character, representing the action of scissors cutting.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal