flores de papel
/floɾes de papel/from spelling rules
The English phrase "paper flowers" is flores de papel in Spanish.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of flores (flowers) and de papel (of paper), following the Spanish structure of placing the material after the noun.
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a single paper flower, use the singular form flor de papel. In the phrase flores de papel, the word papel remains singular because it describes the material, not a count of individual sheets.
How do you pronounce it?
/floɾes de papel/
Did you know?
- In Mexico, flores de papel are often used in traditional 'ofrendas' during the Day of the Dead. While real cempasúchil flowers are preferred, paper versions are used when the real ones are unavailable to guide spirits home.
- In traditional Spanish folk art, creating flores de papel often involves a technique called 'papel picado'. In this craft, the paper is chiseled with scissors to create intricate lace-like floral patterns.
- The Spanish word papel is a linguistic 'doublet' of the English word 'paper'. Both words independently descended from the same Ancient Greek root πάπυρος, which refers to the papyrus plant.
Examples in context
- Adornamos la sala con hermosas flores de papelWe decorated the room with beautiful paper flowers
- Estas flores son elaboradas de papel recicladoThese flowers are crafted from recycled paper
- ¡Mira qué lindas flores de papelito!Look at these adorable little paper flowers!
- Ayer hicimos flores hechas de papel para la fiestaYesterday we made paper flowers for the party
- ¿Cuánto cuestan estas hermosas flores de papel?How much do these beautiful paper flowers cost?
- Me encantan esas flores de papel.I love those paper flowers.
- Ella hizo unas flores de papel para la fiesta.She made some paper flowers for the party.
- ¿Dónde compraste esas flores de papel?Where did you buy those paper flowers?
Example conversation
María and Daniel are decorating for a party.
- MaríaDaniel, ¿me ayudas con las flores de papel?Daniel, can you help me with the paper flowers?
- DanielSí, María. ¿Dónde están?Yes, María. Where are they?
- MaríaEstán sobre la mesa del comedor.They are on the dining table.
- DanielPerfecto, voy a colgarlas ahora.Perfect, I am going to hang them now.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, flores, papel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
