剪

jiǎn
#2,222 most
frequent character
cut, clip, trim, wipe out, scissors
verb
noun

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

剪 jiǎn joins 前 qián, which echoes the rhyme and was its older form, with 刀, a knife. The knife fits the first sense, 'to cut off,' which grew to 'scissors' and 'to cut, clip.'

剪 as a component in other characters

sound1 character
谫

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Example Sentences

我用剪刀剪纸。
wǒ yòng jiǎndāo jiǎnzhǐ 。
I cut paper with scissors.
请把这段视频剪短一些。
qǐng bǎ zhè duàn shìpín jiǎnduǎn yīxiē 。
Please trim this video a little shorter.
她剪了一束花。
tā jiǎnle yīshùhuā 。
She cut a bouquet of flowers.

Words with similar meanings

削xiāo
peel or shave
Typically refers to removing a layer or skin, which can be a more specific form of cutting.
裁cái
cut or tailor
Often used in the context of making clothes or altering fabric.

Words Starting With 剪

剪刀jiǎn dāo
scissors
剪彩jiǎn cǎi
to cut the ribbon (at a launching or opening ceremony)

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