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tijeras means scissors — a common term in Essential Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: April 11, 2026

📘 Essential Spanish

tijeras

noun • /[tee-HEH-ras]/

scissors

Example:

Las tijeras están en el cajón.

The scissors are in the drawer.

🧠 What does tijeras mean?

Tijeras refers to a common tool used for cutting. It consists of two blades pivoted together, allowing them to be opened and closed to shear materials like paper, fabric, or hair. The word is invariably used in the plural form in Spanish, even when referring to a single pair of scissors.

📚 Extra examples

  • Necesito unas tijeras para cortar este papel.
    I need scissors to cut this paper.
  • Guarda las tijeras con cuidado para que nadie se lastime.
    Put the scissors away carefully so that no one gets hurt.
  • Las tijeras de cocina son muy útiles para abrir paquetes.
    Kitchen scissors are very useful for opening packages.
  • El peluquero usó tijeras afiladas para cortar el cabello.
    The hairdresser used sharp scissors to cut the hair.
  • Unas buenas tijeras son esenciales en cualquier hogar.
    Good scissors are essential in any home.

💡 Did You Know?

The Spanish word 'tijeras' is always plural, much like its English counterpart 'scissors'. This grammatical feature is common for certain tools and items that consist of two joined parts.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "tijeras"

Synonyms: cuchillas (less common for general scissors, more for specific types), cortapapeles (paper cutter, a specific type)
Opposites: pegamento (glue), cinta adhesiva (adhesive tape)

🔍 See more essential spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'scissors' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'scissors' is tijeras.
How do you pronounce 'tijeras' in Spanish?
Tijeras is pronounced tee-HEH-rahs.
How do you use 'tijeras' in a sentence?
Tijeras is used to refer to the cutting tool. For example, 'Necesito tijeras para cortar la tela' (I need scissors to cut the fabric).
What is the English translation of 'tijeras'?
The English translation of tijeras is scissors.
Does 'tijeras' change for gender or number?
Tijeras is a plural noun and does not change for gender. It is always used in the plural form, even for a single pair.
Is 'tijeras' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, tijeras is a very common word used in everyday Spanish for the tool used for cutting.
Does 'tijeras' have slang or double meanings?
In standard Spanish, tijeras primarily refers to the cutting tool and does not have common slang or double meanings.
Is 'tijeras' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
No, the word tijeras is used consistently across Spain and Latin America to refer to scissors.

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