papel de liar
/papel de ljaɾ/from spelling rules
Rolling papers in Spanish is papel de liar.
The term refers to thin sheets of paper used for rolling tobacco or cannabis into a cigarette.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase papel de liar literally means 'paper for rolling', composed of papel (paper), de (of/for) and the infinitive liar (to roll/to wrap).
Which one should you use?
The colloquial term papelillos is also used in many Spanish-speaking countries.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, papel de liar is commonly used to refer to rolling papers. In Argentina, people might use the term papel de armado.
How do you pronounce it?
/papel de ljaɾ/
Did you know?
- In some contexts, liar is a doublet of the word ligar, which is commonly used in Spanish to mean 'flirting' or 'picking up' a partner.
- Beyond rolling tobacco, the verb liar is used in Spanish to describe getting someone into a confusing situation or creating a mess.
- The verb liar in papel de liar comes from the Latin ligāre, which is the same root used for the English word 'ligament'.
Examples in context
- Quisiera comprar papel de fumar.I would like to buy rolling papers.
- ¿Dónde puedo conseguir papel para liar cigarrillos?Where can I get rolling papers?
- ¿Tienes papel de liar? Quiero fumar un porro.Do you have rolling papers? I want to smoke a joint.
- Necesito comprar papel de liar.I need to buy rolling papers.
- ¿Tienes un poco de papel de liar?Do you have some rolling papers?
- Ese papel de liar es muy fino.That rolling paper is very thin.
Example conversation
At a small convenience store.
- ElenaHola, ¿vendéis papel de liar aquí?Hello, do you sell rolling papers here?
- DanielSí, están en el estante de arriba.Yes, they are on the top shelf.
- ElenaPerfecto, me llevaré una caja.Perfect, I will take one box.
- DanielMuy bien, ¿algo más, Elena?Very well, anything else, Elena?
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, liar, papel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
