Learn Hardcore Spanish (Latin America): Por favor, pásame las tijeras para recortar este papel; no las encuentro en la mesa. - Please hand me the scissors to cut this paper; I cannot find them on the table.

Pásame is the informal imperative form of the verb pasar with the pronoun me attached. It literally means "pass me" or "hand me" something. In this context, it politely instructs someone to give the speaker the scissors.

Why are the scissors referred to as las tijeras even though we talk about one pair, and why is it used in the plural?

In Spanish, the noun tijeras is inherently plural and is treated as a feminine noun. Even when referring to a single pair, you must use the plural article las and the corresponding pronoun las. This is similar to the English word "scissors," which also appears only in the plural form.

What role does the pronoun me play when attached to the command pásame?

The pronoun me indicates that the action is directed toward the speaker. In other words, it shows that the request is for someone to pass to me the scissors. In Spanish, object pronouns often attach directly to imperatives to create a concise command.

What does the phrase para recortar este papel explain in the sentence?

The phrase para recortar este papel explains the purpose of the request. It means "to trim (or cut out) this paper." Essentially, the speaker needs the scissors for the specific task of cutting or trimming the paper.

Why is a semicolon used to separate the two parts of the sentence, and what does the second clause mean?

The semicolon separates two closely related but independent thoughts. The first part is the request ("Please pass me the scissors to trim this paper"), and the second part ("I don’t find them on the table") explains a related problem: the speaker can’t locate the scissors. The semicolon signals that while these ideas are distinct, they are connected in context.