Key Facts
- Hangul: 종이; Revised Romanization: jong-i
- Part of speech: noun
- Origin: native Korean
- Register: Neutral.
Paper in Korean: What Does 종이 Mean?
종이 is the general neutral word for paper. It covers a sheet you write on, craft paper and the material generally. Specific products get their own words, such as 신문 for newspaper.
How Do You Pronounce 종이?
Two syllables, jong and i. The hyphen in jong-i is an optional Revised Romanization mark that shows ng ends the first syllable; it is not a pause. Let the ng flow straight into the i.
Example Sentences with 종이
종이가 필요해요.
Jong-iga piryohaeyo.
I need paper.
A need statement. 가 marks paper as the subject of 필요해요.
종이에 이름을 쓰세요.
Jong-ie ireumeul sseuseyo.
Write your name on the paper.
An instruction on a form. 에 marks where to write.
종이로 비행기를 접었어요.
Jong-iro bihaenggireul jeobeosseoyo.
I folded a paper airplane.
A craft sentence. 로 marks the material, and the verb means folded.
Common Phrases and Collocations
Three useful phrases are 종이컵 (paper cup), 종이 한 장 (a sheet of paper) and 종이접기 (origami).
| Korean | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 종이컵 | paper cup |
| 종이 한 장 | a sheet of paper |
| 종이접기 | origami / paper folding |
The Mistake to Avoid
Wrong: jong … i, with a break between the syllables because of the hyphen in the romanization.
Correct: one smooth word, jong-i, with the ng gliding straight into the i.
종이 Compared with 용지 and 신문 and 휴지
Three neighbours are paper products.
| Word | Meaning | How it differs |
|---|---|---|
| 종이 | paper | This page's word |
| 용지 | paper (form) | Formal/paper for printing or forms. |
| 신문 | newspaper | Specific paper product. |
| 휴지 | tissue / toilet paper | Tissue paper. |
Where Does the Word Come From?
종이 is treated as a native Korean word and has no hanja spelling.
Asking for Paper in Class
A student needs a sheet before starting a classroom activity. The teacher checks the amount, then gives it to the student.
Student
선생님, 종이 한 장 주세요.
Seonsaengnim, jong-i han jang juseyo.
Teacher, one sheet of paper, please.
Teacher
한 장이면 돼요?
Han jangimyeon dwaeyo?
Is one sheet enough?
Student
네, 한 장이면 돼요.
Ne, han jangimyeon dwaeyo.
Yes, one sheet is enough.
Teacher
여기 있어요.
Yeogi isseoyo.
Here you are.
장 counts a flat sheet. Once the student has named 종이, both speakers can repeat just 한 장. The question 한 장이면 돼요 asks whether that amount will be sufficient, which is more specific than simply asking whether the student needs paper. 주세요 makes the opening a polite request.
Does 종이 Mean a Sheet or the Material?
종이 can name paper as a material without specifying any number of sheets. 종이가 필요해요 therefore means “I need paper.” Adding 한 장 narrows it to one sheet. For two sheets, use 종이 두 장. The counter tells the listener that you are counting flat pieces rather than packets or rolls.
A sheet and a page are different units. A sheet of paper has two sides, while 페이지 counts pages in a book or document. If an instruction asks for 종이 한 장, it asks for one physical sheet. It does not necessarily tell you to use just one side. Look for 앞면, “front side,” or 뒷면, “back side,” if the writing surface matters.
What Can You Do with 종이?
종이를 접다 means to fold paper, the action behind 종이접기, “paper folding.” 종이를 자르다 means to cut paper. 종이를 찢다 means to tear paper. These verbs describe different ways of changing a sheet, so a craft instruction depends on the verb as much as on the material name.
종이에 쓰다 means to write on paper. The 에 names the writing surface. 종이로 만들다 means to make something out of paper, with 로 naming the material. Compare the existing examples: writing your name uses 종이에, while folding a paper airplane uses 종이로. The same noun takes a different particle because its role changes.
종이컵 is literally “paper cup,” and 종이봉투 is “paper bag.” Both name objects by their material. They do not mean sheets of paper shaped for writing. If a cashier offers a 종이봉투, the question concerns a bag for carrying your purchase.
Where Will You See Paper Words?
At home or in class, 종이 is the broad everyday choice. Near a printer, A4 용지 means A4 paper, specifying paper intended for that task. 용지 is useful in product names and printer instructions; 종이 remains natural when you simply ask someone for a sheet.
On recycling labels, 종이류 means the paper category: 류 groups items of a type. 종이 상자 means a paper or cardboard box. Knowing these labels helps you identify the material, but a material word alone does not settle every local disposal rule. Follow the particular collection sign for instructions about what belongs there.
한지 names traditional Korean paper. You may see it in craft materials or descriptions of traditional objects. 종이 is still the general material word; 한지 identifies a particular paper tradition rather than being a more polite way to say paper.
Paper Types and Writing-Surface Words
| Korean | Meaning | Useful note |
|---|---|---|
| 색종이 | colored paper | Common for folding and classroom crafts. |
| 도화지 | drawing paper | Names paper intended for drawing or painting. |
| 앞면 | front side | Identify the side to write or draw on. |
| 뒷면 | back side | Ask whether the reverse side can be used. |
The materials vocabulary lesson puts paper beside other materials. For a classroom request, start with 종이 and a sheet count; add a paper type when ordinary writing paper will not suit the activity.
Quick Self-Test
- Which counter counts sheets of 종이?
- Which phrase names a writing surface: 종이에 or 종이로?
- What does 색종이 mean?
Show answers
- 장, as in 종이 한 장.
- 종이에. 종이로 can name paper as the material.
- Colored paper, often used for crafts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say paper in Korean?
Say 종이 (jong-i).
How do I count sheets?
Use 장, as in 종이 한 장.
What is 종이컵?
It means paper cup.
What is 용지?
It is the formal word for paper used in printing or forms.
Related Words and What to Learn Next
- Theme list: Korean materials vocabulary groups 종이 with its neighbours.
- Index: Korean words A to Z.
- Practice: add it to the vocabulary flashcard decks.
- Materials neighbours: plastic in Korean and 신문, newspaper.