das  Papier

A1

Estimated CEFR level.

/paˈpiːɐ̯/

📄 What exactly is "das Papier"?

Das Papier primarily refers to a material made from cellulose fibers (usually from wood, recycled paper, or rags), typically found in the form of thin sheets. It serves as a material for writing, printing, or packaging.

It can also have more specific meanings:

• A single sheet: "Gib mir bitte ein Papier." (Please give me a piece of paper.)
• A document or certificate: "Ich brauche meine Papiere für die Anmeldung." (I need my papers/documents for registration.) (Often used in the plural here: die Papiere)
• A scientific paper or essay: "Er hat ein Papier zur Quantenphysik veröffentlicht." (He published a paper on quantum physics.)
• Securities (stock market): Although the plural "die Papiere" is often used here, "das Papier" in the singular can refer to a single security.

⚠️ Note: For identification papers or vehicle documents, the plural "die Papiere" is almost always used.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📐 Grammar of "das Papier" in Detail

"Papier" is a noun of neuter gender. The article is das.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Ich schreibe auf ein Blatt Papier.
   (I am writing on a sheet of paper.)
2. Der Drucker benötigt neues Papier.
   (The printer needs new paper.)
3. Die Farbe des Papiers ist weiß.
   (The color of the paper is white.)
4. Bitte bringen Sie alle notwendigen Papiere mit.
   (Please bring all necessary papers/documents.)
5. Er handelt an der Börse mit wertvollen Papieren.
   (He trades valuable securities on the stock exchange.)

💡 How to use "Papier"?

"Papier" is a very common word in German. Here are some typical contexts:

• Everyday Life & Office: For writing, drawing, printing, crafting (e.g., Schreibpapier - writing paper, Druckerpapier - printer paper, Tonpapier - construction paper, Geschenkpapier - wrapping paper).
• Administration & Law: As a synonym for documents, certificates, IDs (mostly in plural: die Papiere, e.g., Ausweispapiere - ID papers, Fahrzeugpapiere - vehicle registration papers).
• Science & Education: For scientific publications or essays (ein Paper/Papier veröffentlichen - to publish a paper).
• Economy: In the context of securities (stocks, bonds).
• Idioms: "Papier ist geduldig." (Paper is patient. Meaning: You can write down anything, it doesn't mean it's true or will last.)

Distinction:

• Pappe / Karton: Refers to thicker, stiffer material than Papier (like cardboard or cardstock). The transition can be fluid (e.g., Fotopapier - photo paper vs. Fotokarton - photo cardstock).
• Folie: Transparent or opaque material made of plastic, not pulp (like foil or plastic sheeting).

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Papier"

Remembering the Article: Think of "das Material". Papier is a neutral material, like das Holz (wood), das Metall (metal), das Glas (glass). Many basic, neutral materials in German are neuter ('das'). So: das Papier.

Remembering the Meaning: The word sounds a bit like the rustling sound paper makes: "Pa-peer-rr". Imagine writing on a sheet or hearing it rustle in the wind.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Similar Sounding Words

• Papyrus: A precursor to paper, made from the papyrus plant.
• Tapezieren: The act of putting up wallpaper (Tapete, which can be made of paper) on walls. Not directly related to the material 'Papier' itself.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Lehrer: "Fritzchen, warum ist dein Heft so leer?"
Sagt Fritzchen: "Papier ist geduldig, Herr Lehrer. Ich wollte seine Geduld nicht überstrapazieren!"

Translation:
The teacher asks: "Fritzchen, why is your notebook so empty?"
Fritzchen replies: "Paper is patient, teacher. I didn't want to overtax its patience!"

📜 Poem about Paper

Ob weiß, ob bunt, ob glatt, ob rau,
das Papier, ich weiß genau,
trägt Worte, Bilder, leicht und schlicht,
ein Brief, ein Buch, ein Kurzgedicht.

Vom Baum zum Blatt, ein langer Weg,
im Büro, auf dem Schreibtischsteg,
als Dokument, als Kunstwerk zart,
stets hilfsbereit auf seine Art.

Translation:
Whether white, or colored, smooth, or rough,
The paper, I know well enough,
Carries words, images, light and plain,
A letter, a book, a short refrain.

From tree to sheet, a long way passed,
In office, on the desk held fast,
As document, as artwork slight,
Always helpful in its own right.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich komme von Bäumen, doch bin kein Blatt am Ast.
Ich trage Gedanken, oft ohne Hast.
Man kann mich falten, schneiden, bemalen,
und wichtige Dinge auf mir festhalten und prahlen.

Was bin ich? ... Das Papier

Translation:
I come from trees, but am no leaf on the bough.
I carry thoughts, often without rush, somehow.
You can fold me, cut me, paint me with care,
And keep important things on me, and boast and share.

What am I?
... Paper

🧩 Other Information

Word Origin

The German word "Papier" comes from the Latin papyrus, which in turn derives from the Greek πάπυρος (papyros). This referred to the papyrus plant and the writing material made from it. It entered Middle High German via Old French papier and eventually reached modern German.

Compound Words (Examples)

"Papier" is part of many compound nouns in German:

• Papierkorb (wastepaper basket)
• Papierflugzeug (paper airplane)
• Briefpapier (letter paper / stationery)
• Geschenkpapier (wrapping paper)
• Toilettenpapier (toilet paper)
• Altpapier (waste paper / paper for recycling)
• Schmirgelpapier (sandpaper)