はさみ

(3 entries)
Alternative writings: , 剪刀
JLPT:N3
Frequency:

1Scissors or shears — a tool with two crossed blades that open and close to cut paper, cloth, hair, etc. Comes in many forms (stationery scissors, kitchen scissors キッチンばさみ, garden shears 植木ばさみ). The kanji 鋏 is non-jōyō and seldom used; usually written はさみ or ハサミ.

NounUsually Kana

Examples

工作の時間に、はさみで色紙を切って貼り絵を作った。

During craft time, we cut colored paper with scissors and made a collage.

キッチンばさみがあると、肉や袋を切るのにとても便利だ。

Kitchen scissors are really handy for cutting meat or opening packages.

前髪が伸びてきたので、自分ではさみで切ってしまった。

My bangs had grown out, so I ended up trimming them myself with scissors.

子どもには先の丸い安全なはさみを使わせている。

I have the kids use safety scissors with rounded tips.

紙はちぎらずに、ハサミでまっすぐ切ってください。

Don't tear the paper — cut it straight with scissors.

2(Older usage) A scissors-like clipping/punching tool, such as the 改札ばさみ once used by station staff to nick train tickets. Now essentially obsolete due to automated ticket gates — a historical sense.

NounUsually Kana

Examples

昔は駅員が改札ばさみで切符にパチンと切り込みを入れていた。

In the old days, station staff used to clip train tickets with a hand punch.