charta
[ˈkʰar.ta]feminine
The English word 'paper' is translated into Latin as charta.
charta refers to a sheet of material used for writing. If you are specifically referring to the material made from the papyrus plant, use the term papyrus. To refer to scrolls, use the terms volumen or rotulus.
Meaning: sheet material (noun)
Which one should you use?
While charta is a general term for a sheet of writing material, papyrus is the specific term for the material produced from the papyrus plant.
How does it change in a sentence?
charta is a feminine noun. Use the accusative form chartam when paper is the direct object of a verb, such as 'take paper'. Use the genitive form chartae to indicate possession or relationship, such as 'the color of the paper'. Use the ablative form chartā to indicate that paper is the instrument used to perform an action, such as 'to write with paper'.
Did you know?
- Ancient Romans often used tabulae, which were wooden tablets coated in wax, as a reusable alternative to charta for temporary notes.
- The Latin charta is the direct ancestor of the English word 'charter', referring to a formal document or written grant of rights.
- Early Latin writers used the word codex to describe a bound book of chartae, a format that eventually replaced the scroll.
Examples in context
- Sume chartam et scribe!Take a sheet of paper and write!This sentence shows how to use the accusative form chartam when it is the direct object of 'take'.Tatoeba #1501229 by alexmarcelo, translation #627297 by AlanF_US
- Sume chartam et scribe.Grab some paper and write.This sentence shows the use of the accusative form chartam for 'grab paper'.Tatoeba #13594981 by rul, translation #13580169 by rul
- Et calamo et charta egeo.I need a pen and paper.Tatoeba #4938423 by alexmarcelo, translation #2387456 by CK
- Chartulas meas ex papyro feci.I made my notes from paper.
- Quot papyri tibi necessarii sunt?How many papers do you need?
- Magna opera in voluminibus scripta sunt.Great works were written on scrolls.
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Aurelia and Marcus are preparing to write a letter.
- AureliaUbi est charta mea?Where is my paper?
- MarcusCharta in mensa est, Aurelia.The paper is on the table, Aurelia.
- AureliaGratias, Marce. Nunc scribere possum.Thank you, Marcus. Now I can write.
- MarcusBene, chartam optimam habes.Good, you have excellent paper.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “paper” translations and entries charta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
