German word

Papier

Pronunciation

IPA/paˈpiːɐ̯/

Meaning

  • neuter nounpaper

Example

Das Papier ist weiß.

The paper is white.

Illustration for Papier (paper)

More examples

Bitte wirf das Papier in den Mülleimer.

Please throw the paper in the trash.

Core concept

A thin writable sheet that can also stand for the printed document it carries.

Common phrases

  • ein Stück Papier

    a piece of paper

  • das Papier wegwerfen

    throw the paper away

  • auf dem Papier unterschreiben

    sign on paper

Similar words

Blatt: A single sheet used for writing, notes, or printed content.
Dokument: An official written or electronic record used as proof or documentation.
Brief: A written message sent to a person or organization in an envelope.
Zeitung: A regularly published newspaper containing daily news and articles.

Definition in German

Ein dünnes, flaches Material, auf dem man schreibt, druckt oder zeichnet.

Word origin

German Papier came through Old French papier from Latin papyrus, the word for the papyrus plant and its writing material.

Usage tips

  • For one sheet, German usually says ein Blatt Papier because Papier commonly denotes the material rather than a countable sheet.

Other meanings

  • sheet of papernoun
  • documentnoun

Opposites

  • Digitalisatdigitized documentnoun

Related words

  • Papierfliegerpaper airplanenoun
  • Papierstaupaper jamnoun
  • papierlospaperlessadjective

Word lists with this word