剪刀 jiǎndāo scissors
How to remember 剪刀: 剪 scissors + 刀 knife = scissors.
Characters
How it is used
- The everyday word for scissors - 拿把剪刀 (ná bǎ jiǎndāo) grab a pair of scissors. Measure word is 把 (bǎ), like other hand tools.
- The verb is 剪 (jiǎn), so you 用剪刀剪 (yòng jiǎndāo jiǎn) cut with scissors - don't say 切 (qiē), which is for knives.
- Also the name of the 'scissors' hand in rock-paper-scissors: 石头剪刀布 (shítou jiǎndāo bù).
Example sentences
- 这把剪刀剪不好。 Zhè bǎ jiǎndāo jiǎn bùhǎo.These scissors don't cut well.
- 这把剪刀不好使。 Zhè bǎ jiǎndāo bùhǎo shǐ.These scissors don't cut well.
- 这把剪刀不好用。 Zhè bǎ jiǎndāo bùhǎo yòng.These scissors don't cut well.