Japanese word

はさみ

Pronunciation

Romajihasami

Meaning

  • nounscissors

Example

紙をはさみで切ります。kami o ha sa mi de ki ri ma su

I cut paper with scissors.

Illustration for はさみ (scissors)

More examples

図工ではさみを使います。zu kō de ha sa mi o tsuka i ma su

I use scissors in art class.

右手ではさみを持ちます。migi te de ha sa mi o mo chi ma su

I hold the scissors in my right hand.

Core concept

Describes a hand tool that cuts by bringing two crossing blades together around an object.

Common phrases

  • はさみを持つha sa mi o mo tsu

    hold scissors

  • はさみで切るha sa mi de ki ru

    cut with scissors

Similar words

剪刀sentō: A formal term for a hand tool with two blades joined at a central pivot.

Definition in Japanese

二枚の刃を交差させて動かし、間に入れた物を切断する道具。ni mai no ha o kō sa sa se te ugo ka shi ma ni i re ta mono o setsu dan su ru dō gu

Word origin

The noun はさみ (hasami) comes from the verb 挟む (hasamu, "to pinch"), highlighting how the blades hold material between them as they cut.

Usage tips

  • The phrase a pair of scissors is common because English normally treats scissors as a plural noun rather than a singular count noun.

Other meanings

  • shearsnoun
  • clippersnoun
  • pincersnoun

Word lists with this word