剪

jiǎn

刀 + 前

HSK 3.0Level 5

Frequency#2227

Definitions

jiǎn (verb) to cut with scissors; to trim

jiǎn (noun) scissors; shears; clippers

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 刀 represents the meaning and 前 represents the sound.

Semantic: 刀 Phonetic: 前

About

The character "剪" is structured with the phonetic component "前" positioned above the semantic radical "刀", forming a compound that originally denoted a cutting tool such as scissors, directly implying the use of a blade. Its etymology links the pronunciation suggested by "前" to the function indicated by "刀", centering on shearing actions. Over time, the character's meaning has consistently involved cutting with scissors, extending to contexts like clipping hair, trimming fabric, or crafting paper cutouts, without significant deviation from this core concept.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

请剪这张纸。

Qǐng jiǎn zhè zhāng zhǐ.

Please cut this piece of paper.

他用剪刀剪线。

Tā yòng jiǎndāo jiǎn xiàn.

He uses scissors to cut the thread.

姐姐喜欢剪窗花。

Jiějiě xǐhuān jiǎn chuānghuā.

Older sister likes cutting window paper-cuts.

我昨天剪了短发。

Wǒ zuótiān jiǎn le duǎn fà.

I cut my hair short yesterday.

园丁正在剪树枝。

Yuándīng zhèngzài jiǎn shùzhī.

The gardener is trimming the branches.

她小心地剪掉多余的线头。

Tā xiǎoxīn de jiǎn diào duōyú de xiàntóu.

She carefully cuts off the excess thread ends.

在制作手工艺品时，剪裁布料很重要。

Zài zhìzuò shǒugōng yìpǐn shí, jiǎncái bùliào hěn zhòngyào.

When making handicrafts, cutting the fabric is very important.

为了保持发型，他每月都要去理发店剪一次头发。

Wèile bǎochí fàxíng, tā měi yuè dōu yào qù lǐfàdiàn jiǎn yī cì tóufa.

To maintain his hairstyle, he goes to the barbershop every month to cut his hair once.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 刀

Component: 前

剪