セロテープ

セ

ロ

テ

ー

プ

Common wordJLPTN5Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

noun

cellophane tape; adhesive tape; Sellotape

trademark

Genericized trademark from 'Cellotape'; commonly used for transparent adhesive tape in Japan.

from English cellotape

封ふう筒とうを閉とじるのにセロテープを使つかった。
I used cellophane tape to seal the envelope.
セロテープを切きらしてしまったので、買かいに行いかなくては。
I ran out of adhesive tape, so I have to go buy some.

See all 7 example sentences ›

Usage patterns

〈物もの〉をセロテープで留とめるto fix/secure something with cellophane tape
破やぶれたページをセロテープで留とめた。
I fixed the torn page with cellophane tape.
セロテープで貼はるto stick something on using cellophane tape
写しゃ真しんをセロテープでノートに貼はった。
I stuck the photo into my notebook with cellophane tape.
セロテープを切きるto cut off a piece of cellophane tape
はさみでセロテープを切きった。
I cut a piece of cellophane tape with scissors.

Related words

セロハンテープ
セロハンテープ is the full, more formal name for the same product that セロテープ (a trademark-derived term) refers to in everyday speech.
粘ねん着ちゃくテープ
粘着テープ is a general term covering any adhesive tape, while セロテープ specifically means the transparent cellophane kind.

Don't confuse with

ガムテープN2
ガムテープ is thick, opaque packing/kraft-paper tape used for boxes, unlike the thin, transparent セロテープ used for paper and light mending.
マスキングテープ
マスキングテープ is a matte, easily-removable tape for painting or decoration, whereas セロテープ is clear and meant for permanent sticking.

Counted with

巻かん
For volumes in a series (第1巻) and rolls (tape, scrolls).
本ほんN5
Tape is also sometimes counted as 本 when referring to individual rolls, but 巻 is the most natural counter.

Etymology

From English 'Cellotape', a trademark for cellophane adhesive tape. The term has become a genericized trademark in Japanese for transparent adhesive tape.