Readings: シ (Onyomi), かみ (Kunyomi)
Meaning: Paper
The kanji 紙 combines the ‘糸’ radical (いとへん – thread/silk) on the left, which indicates a connection to fibrous materials, with ‘氏’ (し/shi) on the right, which acts as a phonetic component. This reflects that early paper was made from fibrous materials like hemp or silk.
View JLPT N4 Kanji ListHow to Write – Stroke Order
The kanji 紙 consists of 10 strokes. Start with the ‘糸’ radical on the left: first the three dots, then the vertical line, followed by the two horizontal lines. For the right part ‘氏’, begin with the long diagonal stroke, then the horizontal stroke, followed by the second diagonal stroke, and finally the hook. Pay attention to the order and direction of each stroke for proper formation.
Kanji Details
| Radical | 糸 |
|---|---|
| Strokes | 10 |
| JLPT Level | N4 |
| Grade | Grade 2 |
Readings with English Transcription
Onyomi (Chinese readings)
- シ (shi)
Kunyomi (Japanese readings)
- かみ (kami)
Common Words Using 紙
Onyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 用紙 | ようし | paper; form |
| 新聞紙 | しんぶんし | newspaper |
| 色紙 | しきし | square drawing paper |
| 和紙 | わし | Japanese paper |
| 洋紙 | ようし | Western paper |
| 製紙 | せいし | papermaking |
| 紙幣 | しへい | paper money, banknote |
| 紙器 | しき | paper container |
| 紙面 | しめん | page, surface of paper |
| 半紙 | はんし | half-sized paper for calligraphy |
Kunyomi Readings
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 紙 | かみ | paper |
| 手紙 | てがみ | letter |
| 折り紙 | おりがみ | origami |
| 紙屑 | かみくず | waste paper, scrap paper |
| 紙切れ | かみきれ | piece of paper |
| 紙袋 | かみぶくろ | paper bag |
| 障子紙 | しょうじがみ | shoji paper |
| 白紙 | はくし | blank paper |
| 厚紙 | あつがみ | thick paper, cardboard |
| 紙コップ | かみコップ | paper cup |
Example Sentences
Japanese: この紙に書いてください。
Kana: この かみに かいて ください。
Romaji: Kono kami ni kaite kudasai.
English: Please write on this paper.
Japanese: 手紙を書きます。
Kana: てがみを かきます。
Romaji: Tegami o kakimasu.
English: I will write a letter.
Japanese: 新聞紙を読みます。
Kana: しんぶんしを よみます。
Romaji: Shinbunshi o yomimasu.
English: I read the newspaper.
Japanese: 折り紙で鶴を作ります。
Kana: おりがみで つるを つくります。
Romaji: Origami de tsuru o tsukurimasu.
English: I make a crane with origami.
Japanese: 新しい紙をください。
Kana: あたらしい かみを ください。
Romaji: Atarashii kami o kudasai.
English: Please give me new paper.
Japanese: 紙飛行機を飛ばしました。
Kana: かみひこうきを とばしました。
Romaji: Kami hikōki o tobashimashita.
English: I flew a paper airplane.
Japanese: この紙はとても薄いです。
Kana: この かみは とても うすいです。
Romaji: Kono kami wa totemo usui desu.
English: This paper is very thin.
Japanese: テストは白紙で出した。
Kana: テストは はくしで だした。
Romaji: Tesuto wa hakushi de dashita.
English: I submitted a blank test.
Japanese: 紙とペンを持ってきてください。
Kana: かみと ペンを もってきて ください。
Romaji: Kami to pen o mottekite kudasai.
English: Please bring paper and a pen.
Japanese: 彼は絵を白い紙に描きました。
Kana: かれは えを しろい かみに えがきました。
Romaji: Kare wa e o shiroi kami ni egakimashita.
English: He drew a picture on white paper.
Related Grammar & kanji list
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