Spanish · Home, Clothes & Daily Life

"Paper" in Spanish: papel

el papel

Say it: pah-PEHLmasculine · el papelnoun/paˈpel/

Paper is el papel (pah-PEHL). It is masculine. One sheet is una hoja de papel.

In class

Necesito una hoja de papel.
I need a sheet of paper.
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How to pronounce papel

Say it

pah-PEHL

/paˈpel/

Two syllables: pah-PEHL. Stress PEHL. Soft final l.

"Paper" in Spanish: quick reference

SpanishEnglish
el papelpaper

Paper as material or a document.

una hoja de papela sheet of paper

One page of paper.

el papel recicladorecycled paper

Eco-friendly paper.

papel higiénicotoilet paper

Bathroom paper; also papel de baño.

How to use papel in real life

  1. 1In class

    Necesito una hoja de papel.

    I need a sheet of paper.

    Hoja de papel is one sheet.

  2. 2At the printer

    Se acabó el papel.

    We're out of paper.

    El papel means the supply.

  3. 3Craft project

    Usa papel reciclado, por favor.

    Use recycled paper, please.

    Papel reciclado names the type.

Mistakes English speakers make with papel

Incorrect: La papel es blanco.

Correct: El papel es blanco.

Papel is masculine. Say el papel.

Incorrect: Dame un paper.

Correct: Dame un papel.

Use papel, not the English word paper.

Good to know

Papel is paper. A newspaper is el periódico, not papel. Toilet paper is papel higiénico in many places.

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Printing documents

  1. ChatPal

    ¿Hay papel en la impresora?

    Is there paper in the printer?

  2. You

    No. Voy a comprar papel.

    No. I'm going to buy paper.

  3. ChatPal

    Trae tamaño carta.

    Bring letter size.

  4. You

    De acuerdo. Vuelvo pronto.

    Okay. I'll be right back.

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"Paper" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Paper" in Spanish

Is papel masculine or feminine?

Masculine: el papel, un papel blanco.

How do I say a sheet of paper?

Una hoja de papel.

How do you pronounce papel?

pah-PEHL. Stress PEHL.

Is newspaper papel?

No. Say el periódico.

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