紙: the kanji for paper
紙 is a JLPT N4 kanji that means paper. Below are its readings, 11 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
紙 is written in 10 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
紙 has 2 readings in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 11 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
シ (shi)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 用紙ようし · yōshi | form; paper |
| 表紙ひょうし · hyōshi | cover (of a book) |
| 和紙わし · washi | Japanese paper |
| 新聞紙しんぶんし · shinbunshi | newspaper (paper) |
| 白紙はくし · hakushi | blank paper; clean slate |
| 紙幣しへい · shihei | paper money |
かみ (kami)
Kun reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 紙かみ · kami | paper |
| 手紙てがみ · tegami | letter |
| 紙袋かみぶくろ · kamibukuro | paper bag |
| 折り紙おりがみ · origami | origami |
| 紙コップかみこっぷ · kamikoppu | paper cup |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- この用紙に記入してください。Kono yōshi ni kinyū shite kudasai.Please fill out this form.
- 紙袋をお付けしましょうか。Kamibukuro o o-tsuke shimashō ka.Would you like a paper bag?
- お世話になった方に手紙を書きました。O-sewa ni natta kata ni tegami o kakimashita.I wrote a letter to someone who helped me.
- 資料は紙ではなくデータでお送りします。Shiryō wa kami de wa naku dēta de o-okuri shimasu.We'll send the materials as a file, not on paper.
- 計画は白紙に戻りました。Keikaku wa hakushi ni modorimashita.The plan went back to square one.
- 和紙のカードをお土産に買いました。Washi no kādo o o-miyage ni kaimashita.I bought washi paper cards as souvenirs.
Questions about 紙
How many strokes does 紙 have?
紙 is written in 10 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 紙?
The on readings are shi (シ). The kun readings are kami (かみ).
What does 白紙に戻す mean?
白紙に戻す (hakushi ni modosu) literally means "to return to blank paper." It means to cancel a plan and start over from the beginning.
What JLPT level is 紙?
N4. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N4 is designed to match the former Level 3.
More JLPT N4 kanji
Colors and descriptions
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 紙
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.