Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| hoja de papel | /oxa de papel/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| papeleta | /papeleta/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| foja | /ˈfoxa/ | feminine |
In many contexts, native speakers will simply say hoja instead of the full hoja de papel if the context of paper is already understood.
What does it mean word for word?
The word hoja literally means 'leaf', which is why it is used for a sheet of paper.
Which one should you use?
While hoja de papel refers to a standard sheet, papeleta usually refers to a small slip of paper, such as a voting ballot or a small ticket. Foja and folio are also used to mean a sheet or leaf, but they are reserved for more specific, formal purposes.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you are in a legal, archival or administrative setting, you may encounter the more formal or technical term foja. Similarly, folio can be used as a formal option to refer to a sheet of paper.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, the word pliego is used to indicate a large sheet of paper or a substantial quantity of sheets together.
How does it change in a sentence?
All the forms provided for this phrase are feminine nouns.
Did you know?
- While hoja is the common term for a sheet, the formal word foja is actually a doublet of focha, which refers to a type of water bird called a coot.
- The term papeleta uses the suffix -eta, which is often used in Spanish to create a diminutive form of a word, turning 'paper' into a 'small slip of paper'.
Examples in context
- Dame una hoja de papel.Give me a sheet of paper.This sentence is useful for practicing how to ask for a sheet of paper using hoja de papel.Tatoeba #573157 by Shishir, translation #250118 by CK
- Ella me dio una hoja de papel.She handed me a sheet of paper.This sentence shows how to describe someone handing you a sheet of paper using hoja de papel.Tatoeba #1173815 by Shishir, translation #314131 by CK
- ¿Puedo escribir en esta hoja de papel?May I write on this sheet of paper?This sentence is useful for asking permission to write on a sheet of paper using hoja de papel.Tatoeba #1745908 by marcelostockle, translation #1740459 by Amastan
- Necesito una hoja de papel para escribir la carta.I need a sheet of paper to write the letter.
- Por favor, imprime el informe en una hoja de papel.Please print the report on a sheet of paper.
- Favor de firmar en cada folio.Please sign on each sheet of paper.
- Recuerda adjuntar los documentos en un solo folio.Remember to attach the documents in a single sheet of paper.
- Pásame una hoja para que pueda escribir el número.Pass me a sheet of paper so I can write down the number.
- ¿Dónde puedo encontrar hojas para imprimir?Where can I find sheets of paper to print?
- Necesito un pliego de papel para hacer un dibujo grande.I need a sheet of paper to make a big drawing.
- Compré un pliego de papel para imprimir los afiches.I bought a large sheet of paper to print the posters.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofía is asking Javier for help with a drawing.
- Sofía¿Tienes una hoja de papel?Do you have a sheet of paper?
- JavierSí, tengo una aquí para ti.Yes, I have one here for you.
- SofíaGracias, Javier, la necesito para mi dibujo.Thanks, Javier, I need it for my drawing.
- JavierDe nada, Sofía, espero que te sirva.You're welcome, Sofia, I hope it helps you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sheet of paper” translations and entries papeleta, foja, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, foja, hoja, papel, papeleta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
