Translation guide
In Japanese, 'thin paper' is expressed with specific words depending on the type and use. The most common general term is 薄紙 (usugami), but for everyday items like tissue paper or thin writing paper, other words are more natural.
Referring to paper that is thin in general, without specifying a particular type.
The standard word for 'thin paper'. It can refer to various kinds of thin paper, such as wrapping paper or interleaving paper.
A descriptive phrase meaning 'thin paper'. It's less specific than 薄紙 and can be used when you want to emphasize the thinness of any paper.
Please write on thin paper.
Thin, often translucent paper used for wrapping gifts, crafts, or decoration.
Thin paper used for writing, such as stationery or calligraphy practice paper.
Standard Japanese calligraphy paper, thin and absorbent. Also used for writing letters or notes in traditional settings.
write on thin Japanese paper
A traditional term for thin, high-quality writing paper, often used in poetry or formal correspondence. Rare in modern conversation.
Translucent paper used for tracing drawings or designs.
The standard loanword for tracing paper.
trace the drawing onto tracing paper
A technical term for tracing paper, used in engineering or drafting contexts.
Thin, soft paper used to wrap fragile objects or for interleaving.
薄紙 (usugami) is a specific noun meaning 'thin paper' as a category. 薄い紙 (usui kami) is a descriptive phrase meaning 'paper that is thin'. Use 薄紙 when you want to refer to the material itself, and 薄い紙 when you are describing the thinness of a particular piece of paper.
This book is printed on thin paper.
This paper is thin, isn't it?
The English word 'paper' is 紙 (kami) in Japanese. ペーパー (pēpā) is used in compounds like トイレットペーパー (toilet paper) or ティッシュペーパー (tissue paper), but it's not a general word for paper. Saying 薄いペーパー is unnatural; use 薄い紙 instead.
Often used for facial tissues, but can also refer to thin paper for wrapping or cleaning. Note that in Japanese, ティッシュ usually implies facial tissue.
If you mean facial tissue, ティッシュ is fine, but for craft tissue paper, 薄葉紙 is more precise.
wrap in tissue paper
compose a poem on thin paper
設計図を透写紙に描く
draw the blueprint on tracing paper
put thin paper between the plates