剪子 (jiǎn zǐ) — scissors | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

noun

scissors

Measure word · 把

剪子。
Qǐng bǎ jiǎn zǐ dì gěi wǒ.
Please hand me the scissors.
剪子，。
Zhè bǎ jiǎn zǐ hěn fēng lì, xiǎo xīn shǐ yòng.
These scissors are very sharp, be careful when using them.
剪子。
Tā yòng jiǎn zǐ jiǎn le yì zhāng piào liang de jiǎn zhǐ.
He used the scissors to cut out a beautiful paper-cut.

Derived word

构词法gòucífǎ

后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

剪子 names scissors from 剪 meaning to cut and 子 as the familiar word form for such tools.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

刀刀dāoknife

Sound part声符shēngfú

歬

歬qián剪jiǎn

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

In 剪, 刀 is the knife part and 歬 gives the sound. After 前 came to replace 歬, another 刀 was added to 剪.

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

子 is drawn as a baby with a large head, arms stretched out, and legs wrapped in a blanket.

Appears in