휴지
hyuji[çud͡ʑi]
In Korean, 'tissue' is 휴지 (hyuji). Wiktionary also lists 박엽지 (bagyeopji) and 티슈 페이퍼 (tisyu peipeo).
Meaning: sheet of absorbent paper (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 휴지 | hyuji | [çud͡ʑi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 박엽지 | bagyeopji | [pa̠ɡjʌ̹p̚t͡ɕ͈i] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 티슈 페이퍼 | tisyu peipeo | |
| 티슈 | tisyu | [tʰiɕʰu] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 화장지 | hwajangji | [ɸwa̠d͡ʑa̠ŋd͡ʑi] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
휴지 is the most common and general term, covering both facial tissues and toilet paper. If you are specifically talking about facial tissues (like Kleenex), the loanword 티슈 is used. When you need to specify tissues that come in a cardboard box, you can use 곽티슈.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 화장지 literally translates to 'cosmetic paper', as it is composed of 화장 (cosmetic/makeup) and 지 (paper).
Which one should you use?
휴지 is a general term used for both facial tissues and toilet paper, and it is the standard word to use when asking for toilet paper in a restroom. In contrast, 티슈 is a colloquial loanword from English used specifically for facial tissues rather than toilet paper.
How do you pronounce it?
hyuji
Did you know?
- The common word 휴지 might actually be a spelling mistake that became standard. It may have originated from the Middle Korean word 슈지, which was later 'corrected' to the modern version through a process of hypercorrection.
- In Korea, it is common to see 'pocket tissues' given away as free promotional items at events, often containing a small advertisement on the packaging.
- The term 박엽지 is a much more technical and formal way to describe very thin paper. It is a Sino-Korean term that focuses on the physical property of being 'thin' and 'leaf-like'.
Examples in context
- 휴대용 티슈Portable tissueThis example shows how to describe portable 티슈.
- 티슈 좀 주세요.Can I have a tissue, please?
- 휴지 좀 줄래?Can you give me a tissue, please?
- 화장지 있어?Do you have any tissue?
- 휴지가 어디에 있어요?hyujiga eodie isseoyo?Where is the tissue?
- 식탁 위에 휴지를 두었어요.siktang wie hyujireul dueosseoyo.I put the tissue on the dining table.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Min-jun are cleaning the living room.
- 지은 Ji-eun민준 씨, 혹시 휴지 있어요?Min-jun ssi, hoksi hyuji isseoyo?Min-jun, do you happen to have any tissue?
- 민준 Min-jun네, 여기 있어요.Ne, yeogi isseoyo.Yes, here it is.
- 지은 Ji-eun고마워요, 정말 필요했어요.Gomawoyo, jeongmal piryohaesseoyo.Thank you, I really needed it.
- 민준 Min-jun아니에요, 괜찮아요.Anieyo, gwaenchanayo.No problem, it's okay.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tissue” translations and entries 휴지, 박엽지, 티슈, 화장지, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 박엽지, 티슈, 휴지, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
