Japanese word

紙

Pronunciation

Romajikami

Meaning

  • nounpaper

Example

紙を一枚ください。kami o ichi mai ku da sa i

Please give me one sheet of paper.

Illustration for 紙 (paper)

More examples

絵を紙にかきます。e o kami ni ka ki ma su

I draw a picture on paper.

この紙に住所を書いてください。ko no kami ni jū sho o ka i te ku da sa i

Please write your address on this paper.

Core concept

A thin, flexible material forms a surface for writing, printing, drawing, wrapping, or making objects.

Common phrases

  • 紙一枚kami ichi mai

    one sheet of paper

  • 紙に書くkami ni ka ku

    write on paper

  • 紙を折るkami o o ru

    fold paper

Similar words

用紙yōshi: Paper prepared for a particular purpose, especially writing or printing.

Definition in Japanese

文字や絵を書く面にしたり、包みなどに加工したりする薄い材料。moji ya e o ka ku men ni shi ta ri tsutsu mi na do ni ka kō shi ta ri su ru usu i zai ryō

Word origin

The origin of the native reading かみ (kami, "paper") is uncertain; 紙 (shi, "paper") is the Chinese-derived character used to write it.

Usage tips

  • In English, paper is usually an uncountable material noun, while one individual piece is often called a sheet of paper.

Other meanings

  • sheetnoun

Word lists with this word