How common it is
剪 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say jiǎn slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
剪表示用剪刀剪开或剪短。
jiǎn biǎo shì yòng jiǎn dāo jiǎn kāi huò jiǎn duǎn。
剪 means to cut with scissors or trim.
Context note
剪常用于头发、纸张和布料。
jiǎn cháng yòng yú tóu fa 、 zhǐ zhāng hé bù liào。
It is often used with hair, paper, and fabric.
5 examples
请帮我剪一下纸。
qǐng bāng wǒ jiǎn yí xià zhǐ。
Please help me cut the paper.
她去剪头发。
tā qù jiǎn tóu fa。
She went to cut her hair.
这块布要剪短。
zhè kuài bù yào jiǎn duǎn。
This piece of cloth should be cut shorter.
他用剪刀剪纸。
tā yòng jiǎn dāo jiǎn zhǐ。
He cuts paper with scissors.
剪下来以后更整齐。
jiǎn xià lái yǐ hòu gèng zhěng qí。
It becomes neater after cutting.
5 mini stories
妈妈帮孩子剪头发。
mā ma bāng hái zi jiǎn tóu fa。
Mom helped the child cut hair.
老师让大家剪出一张纸花。
lǎo shī ràng dà jiā jiǎn chū yì zhāng zhǐ huā。
The teacher asked everyone to cut out a paper flower.
他把绳子剪断了。
tā bǎ shéng zi jiǎn duàn le。
He cut the rope.
剪东西时要小心。
jiǎn dōng xī shí yào xiǎo xīn。
Be careful when cutting things.
她喜欢自己剪纸。
tā xǐ huan zì jǐ jiǎn zhǐ。
She likes cutting paper by herself.