Ever wondered if you could learn Chinese through a story about a hairdresser-turned-assassin who can't remember his past and charges pocket change for hits? Well, you can with Scissor Seven (伍六七/Wu Liuqi), a hilarious animated series where every episode is packed with useful Chinese phrases and slang you won't find in textbooks.
In this post, we'll walk you through 20+ authentic Chinese words and phrases from the show, so you can start speaking more naturally. Ready to learn from the world's cheapest (and most hilariously bad) assassin? Let's get started!
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What Is Netflix's Scissor Seven About?
Scissor Seven is a Chinese animated series that follows Seven, a broke hairdresser with amnesia who decides to become an assassin - not realizing he was already a legendary killer in his forgotten past. The catch? He runs his assassination business out of a small barber shop on Chicken Island and only charges 7 yuan (about $1) per hit, making him probably the world's most affordable hitman.
Originally released in China as "Killer 7," the donghua series found global success on Netflix under the name "Scissor Seven." Since its debut, the show has grown into a major franchise with four seasons already out, two announced films, and even a prequel comic series called "Scissor Seven: Black and White Twin Dragons."
Basic Chinese Words From Scissor Seven
Before we dive into complex phrases, let's start with some basic Chinese words that pop up frequently in Scissor Seven. These aren't just random vocabulary - they're words you'll hear Seven and other characters use all the time, especially when talking about assassination jobs, bargaining over prices, or chatting about daily life on Chicken Island.
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning | Context in Show |
|---|---|---|---|
| 刺客 | cìkè | assassin/hitman | What Seven aspires to be |
| 理发师 | lǐfàshī | hairdresser | Seven's cover job |
| 七 | qī | seven | Our main character's name |
| 杀 | shā | to kill | A word Seven uses... a lot |
| 钱 | qián | money | Usually what Seven doesn't have |
| 记忆 | jìyì | memory | Something Seven lost |
| 鸡 | jī | chicken | The island's main residents |
| 岛 | dǎo | island | Where the story takes place |
| 剪刀 | jiǎndāo | scissors | Seven's weapon of choice |
| 便宜 | piányi | cheap | Seven's services, always! |
| 生意 | shēngyi | business | What Seven tries to run |
| 客户 | kèhù | customer/client | Seven's targets |
Want to start using these words right away? Let's learn a simple sentence pattern: Subject + 是 (shì/is) + Noun. This is how Seven introduces himself as either a hairdresser or an assassin, and you can use it to describe anyone's job or role. Here are some examples from the show:
- 我是理发师 (Wǒ shì lǐfàshī) - I am a hairdresser
- 他是刺客 (Tā shì cìkè) - He is an assassin
- 七是客户 (Qī shì kèhù) - Seven is the client
Basic Chinese Phrases From Scissor Seven
Ever notice how Seven has a special phrase for every situation - whether he's sweet-talking potential clients or making excuses for his failed missions? These everyday Chinese phrases are what make the show's dialogue feel so real and hilarious. Let's check out some of the most useful expressions you'll hear throughout the series.
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning | When to Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 多少钱 | duōshao qián | how much? | When Seven negotiates prices |
| 太贵了 | tài guì le | too expensive! | What clients tell Seven |
| 没问题 | méi wèntí | no problem | Seven accepting a job |
| 我不要 | wǒ bú yào | I don't want | Refusing something |
| 真厉害 | zhēn lìhai | really amazing | Praising someone |
| 对不起 | duìbùqǐ | sorry | Seven apologizing (a lot) |
| 好久不见 | hǎojiǔ bùjiàn | long time no see | Meeting old friends |
| 快一点 | kuài yīdiǎn | hurry up | During action scenes |
| 等一下 | děng yīxià | wait a moment | Before making decisions |
| 没办法 | méi bànfǎ | nothing can be done | When jobs go wrong |
Here's a useful sentence pattern you'll hear throughout the show: Subject + 想 (xiǎng/want to) + Verb. This pattern is perfect for expressing what you want to do, just like how Seven talks about his goals. Check out these examples:
- 我想当刺客 (Wǒ xiǎng dāng cìkè) - I want to become an assassin
- 他想赚钱 (Tā xiǎng zhuàn qián) - He wants to make money
- 客户想等一下 (Kèhù xiǎng děng yīxià) - The client wants to wait a moment
Memorable Quotes From Scissor Seven
Some of the most powerful moments in Scissor Seven come from its dialogue, where humor meets heart in unexpected ways. Let's look at three quotes that showcase the show's depth and Seven's character development.
"But now I have someone to protect"
This touching line reveals how much Seven has grown from being just a broke wannabe assassin. Despite his memory loss, he discovers that having someone to fight for gives him strength and purpose. It's a pivotal moment that shows the series is about much more than just comedy.
"I'm the King of Chicken. You may call me 'Chicken a la King'"
This playful quote perfectly captures the show's unique humor. It's a great example of how Scissor Seven blends Chinese and Western cultural references - taking a French cooking term and turning it into a funny moment that fits perfectly with the show's Chicken Island setting.
"I have to do this. I dare one of you to stop me"
When Seven delivers this line, it marks one of his most determined moments in the series. It shows his transformation from a bumbling assassin-for-hire into someone who stands firm for what he believes in, regardless of the consequences.
How To Learn Chinese with Scissor Seven
Ready to turn your Scissor Seven binge-watching into actual Chinese learning? Here's how you can make the most of it with Lingopie's features to level up your Mandarin:
Start with Dual Subtitles
Lingopie lets you watch Scissor Seven with both Chinese and English subtitles turned on. This is perfect for beginners - you'll see how Chinese characters match up with their meanings, and you'll start recognizing common words and phrases naturally.
Use the Language Learning Tools
While watching, you can:
- Click on any word to see its meaning instantly
- Save new vocabulary to your personal flashcard deck
- Practice pronunciation by repeating after characters
- Slow down dialogue in tricky scenes
- Loop challenging sections until you get them
Follow Along with Interactive Transcripts
Each episode comes with an interactive transcript where you can:
- Read along as you watch
- Click any line to jump to that part of the episode
- Review conversations at your own pace
- See Pinyin and character meanings side by side
Practice with Episode Quizzes
After each episode, test what you've learned with:
- Vocabulary checks
- Listening comprehension questions
- Character writing practice
- Grammar explanation reviews
The best part? You're learning authentic Mandarin while enjoying Seven's hilarious adventures. Whether he's messing up an assassination job or trying to bargain with clients, each scene is a chance to pick up real Chinese expressions you can use in everyday life.
Ready to Learn Chinese with Scissor Seven?
Whether you're just starting your Mandarin journey or looking to sound more natural, Scissor Seven paired with Lingopie's learning tools makes the perfect combination. So what are you waiting for? Time to grab your scissors (metaphorically, of course) and start learning Chinese with the world's most affordable assassin!
Want more articles like this? Check out our other blog posts about learning languages through your favorite shows, or start watching Scissor Seven with Lingopie's language learning features today.
