紙 — meaning in English: paper

kami · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for paper

お問い合わせ

otoiawase

栄光

eikō

紙

kami

合計

goukei

形状

keijō

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neutral very common

Usage

Native speakers use the word 紙 in various everyday contexts, such as when discussing writing materials, crafting, or packaging. For instance, you might hear it in a school setting when teachers ask students to bring paper for projects or in a store when someone is purchasing wrapping paper for a gift.

Synonyms & nuances

While 紙 is the most common term for paper, another word, 用紙 (ようし, youshi), refers specifically to paper used for applications like forms or printer paper. You would choose 紙 in everyday conversation, whereas 用紙 might be used in more technical or formal contexts.

Culture

The word 紙 (kami) has an interesting etymology, deriving from the Old Japanese word meaning 'to divide' or 'to cut,' reflecting the traditional craftsmanship involved in paper-making. In Japanese culture, paper holds significant importance, not only for its utilitarian uses but also in art forms like origami, which showcases the beauty and versatility of this simple material.

FAQ

Q.What is the pronunciation of 紙?

The word 紙 is pronounced as 'kami' in Japanese. Remember that the 'k' is pronounced softly, and the 'a' sounds like 'ah' in 'father.'

Q.Are there different types of 紙?

Yes, there are many types of 紙 in Japanese, such as 和紙 (washi), which is traditional Japanese paper known for its strength and quality. Other types include コピー用紙 (kopii youshi), meaning copy paper, and 色 paper (shiki kami), meaning colored paper.

Q.How do you use 紙 in a sentence?

You can use 紙 in sentences like 'この紙はとても厚いです' (kono kami wa totemo atsui desu), which means 'This paper is very thick.' It’s a straightforward way to describe paper in terms of quality or type.

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Japanese 2000