Translation and Meaning of: 紙 - kami
The Japanese word 紙[かみ] is one of those that every Japanese language learner encounters early in their journey. It means "paper," but its importance goes far beyond the simple translation. In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and everyday usage of this word, as well as curiosities that make it special in the Japanese language. If you want to understand how the Japanese see paper in their daily lives or are looking for tips to memorize this kanji, keep reading!
Meaning and use of 紙 [かみ]
Kami [かみ] is an essential word in Japanese vocabulary, meaning "paper" in its most basic sense. It appears in various contexts, from everyday conversations to more formal expressions. In Japan, where the culture of paper is still very much present, this word carries significant cultural weight.
Unlike Portuguese, where "papel" can have metaphorical connotations (like "to play a role"), in Japanese, 紙[かみ] generally refers to the physical object. However, it also forms like 折り紙[おりがみ] (origami) and 新聞紙[しんぶんし] (newspaper), showing its versatility.
Origin and writing of the kanji 紙
The kanji 紙 is composed of the radical 糸 (thread, line) and the phonetic component 氏[し], which helps with pronunciation. This combination is not accidental: in ancient times, paper was made from plant fibers, hence the connection with threads. The etymology reflects the history of paper manufacturing in Japan, which was influenced by China.
Interestingly, the pronunciation かみ can also mean "god" (神), but the two kanji are completely different. This homophony does not cause confusion in daily life, as the context always makes it clear which meaning is being used.
Tips for memorizing and using 紙[かみ]
An effective way to memorize 紙[かみ] is to associate the radical 糸 with the paper-making process. Visualizing the intertwined fibers can help solidify the kanji. Another tip is to practice with compound words, such as 手紙[てがみ] (letter) or 画用紙[がようし] (drawing paper).
In everyday life, Japanese people frequently use 紙[かみ], whether to talk about documents, packaging, or even recycling. If you have visited Japan, you must have noticed how paper is present in details like elegant wrappings and meticulous receipts. This cultural appreciation makes the word even more interesting for those studying Japanese.
Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary with related words:
Synonyms and similar words
- 和紙 (washi) - Traditional Japanese papers.
- 紙製品 (kamiseihin) - Paper products.
- 紙製 (kamisei) - Made of paper.
- 紙類 (kamirui) - Types of paper.
- 紙製造 (kamiseizō) - Paper production.
- 紙製品製造 (kamiseihin seizō) - Manufacturing of paper products.
- 紙製造業 (kamiseizōgyō) - Paper manufacturing industry.
- 紙製品業 (kamiseihin-gyō) - Paper product manufacturing industry.
- 紙製造会社 (kamiseizōgaisha) - Paper manufacturing company.
- 紙製品メーカー (kamiseihin mēkā) - Manufacturer of paper products.
- 紙製品販売店 (kamiseihin hanbai-ten) - Store selling paper products.
- 紙製品卸売業 (kamiseihin oroshiuri-gyō) - Wholesale paper products industry.
- 紙製品輸入業 (kamiseihin yunyūgyō) - Paper product import industry.
- 紙製品輸出業 (kamiseihin yushutsugyō) - Paper product export industry.
Related words
Romaji: kami
Kana: かみ
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5
Translation / Meaning: paper
Meaning in English: paper
Definition: Paper is a thin, flat material made from plant fibers. It is used for writing letters and pictures, as well as for packaging and printing.
Quick Access
- Vocabulary
- Writing
- Sentences
How to Write in Japanese - (紙) kami
See below a step-by-step guide on how to write the word by hand in Japanese. (紙) kami:
Example Sentences - (紙) kami
See below some example sentences:
Kono kami wa yabureru
This paper rips.
This article breaks.
- この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
- 紙 - noun that means "paper"
- は - topic particle indicating that the preceding noun is the topic of the sentence
- 破れる - verb in the potential form meaning "can be torn" or "can be broken"
Kono kami wa usui desu
This sheet of paper is thin.
This article is thin.
- この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
- 紙 - noun that means "paper"
- は - topic particle that indicates that the subject of the sentence is "this paper"
- 薄い - adjective that means "fine" or "fragile"
- です - Verb "to be" in polite form
Kono tegami wa anata ate ni kaite imasu
This letter is written for you.
This letter was written for you.
- この手紙 - "kono tegami" - this letter
- は - wa- Topic particle
- あなた - "you" - you
- 宛に - "ate ni" - for
- 書いています - "kaite imasu" - is being written
Posto ni tegami wo toukan shimashita
I put a letter in the mailbox.
I posted a letter to the post.
- ポスト (posuto) - mail box
- に (ni) - particle indicating location
- 手紙 (tegami) - letter
- を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object
- 投函 (toukan) - put in the mailbox
- しました (shimashita) - past tense of the verb "to do"
Kare wa kami o otte tori o tsukutta
He made a bird folding paper.
He broke the paper and made birds.
- 彼 - The Japanese pronoun that means "he" is 彼 (かれ, kare).
- は - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
- 紙 - Japanese noun that means "paper"
- を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
- 折って - Japanese verb "oru" conjugated in the gerund, which means "to fold."
- 鳥 - Japanese noun that means "bird"
- を - Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence
- 作った - Japanese verb "tsukuru" conjugated in the past, which means "to create"
Kare wa kamitsuka o motte iru
He is holding a pack of paper.
It has a paper package.
- 彼 - The Japanese personal pronoun that means "he" is "彼" (kare).
- は - topic particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
- 紙束 - Japanese noun meaning "bundle of paper"
- を - object particle indicating the direct object of the action
- 持っている - Japanese verb meaning "to have, to possess" in the present continuous.
Tegami o kanojo ni atereta
I addressed the letter to her.
I sent her letter to her.
- 手紙 - letter
- を - direct object particle
- 彼女 - she
- に - target particle
- 宛てた - addressed
Watashi wa tegami wo sashidasu
I deliver the letter.
I give a letter.
- 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
- は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case "I"
- 手紙 (tegami) - noun meaning "letter"
- を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence, in this case "letter"
- 差し出す (sashidasu) - verb meaning "to deliver"
Watashi wa kami o marumemashita
I loved the paper.
I rounded the paper.
- 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
- は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "I"
- 紙 (kami) - noun that means "paper"
- を (wo) - particle that indicates the direct object of the action, in this case, "paper"
- 丸めました (marumemashita) - verb that means "to knead" or "to roll" in the past
Watashi wa tegami o anata ni todokeru
I will give you the letter.
I will deliver the letter to you.
- 私 - personal pronoun that means "I"
- は - topic particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
- 手紙 - noun meaning "letter"
- を - direct object particle indicating the object of the action
- あなた - personal pronoun meaning "you"
- に - target particle indicating the recipient of the action
- 届ける - verb meaning "to deliver"
Other Words of this Type: noun
See other words from our dictionary that are also: noun
