紙
kami[ka̠mʲi]
The Japanese word for "paper" is 紙 (kami).
紙 refers to paper as a sheet material. It is the most common and general term used to describe paper in Japanese.
Meaning: sheet material (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 紙 means paper, it is a homophone of the word 神, which means "god" or "deity". Although they are pronounced identically, they are written with different kanji.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
kami
Did you know?
- Unlike most modern paper made from wood pulp, traditional Japanese washi 紙 is often crafted from the inner bark of the mulberry tree.
- Some scholars believe 紙 originated from the Middle Chinese word for a 'bamboo slip used for writing'. This suggests the word originally described a specific writing tool rather than the material itself.
- In Okinawa, the word for paper is pronounced kabi rather than the standard Japanese kami. This reflects a preservation of an older phonetic sound.
Examples in context
- 紙がほしい。I need some paper.This sentence is useful for expressing a need for the form 紙.Tatoeba #151216 by bunbuku, translation #263339 by CK
- 紙飛行機だよ。I made a paper plane.This sentence is useful for describing a paper plane using the form 紙.Tatoeba #151197 by small_snow, translation #263359 by CK
- 紙は燃えやすい。Paper burns easily.This sentence is useful for stating a property of the form 紙.Tatoeba #151204 by bunbuku, translation #263346 by CK
- 109 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yota and Yui are studying together at a table.
- 陽太 Yota結衣、白い紙を一枚貸して。Yui, shiroi kami o ichimai kashite.Yui, lend me a sheet of white paper.
- 結衣 Yuiいいよ。ここにあるよ。Ii yo. Koko ni aru yo.Sure. It's right here.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとう。この紙にメモを書くね。Arigatou. Kono kami ni memo o kaku ne.Thanks. I'll write a memo on this paper.
- 結衣 Yuiどういたしまして。Dou itashimashite.You're welcome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “paper” translations and entries 紙, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 紙, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
