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papel

pa-PEL/paˈpel/

paper

Also: sheet
NounmA1
A single, pristine white sheet of blank paper resting gently on a colorful wooden table.

📝 In Action

Necesito una hoja de papel para dibujar.

A1

I need a sheet of paper to draw.

Este regalo está envuelto en un papel muy bonito.

A2

This gift is wrapped in very pretty paper.

La impresora se quedó sin papel.

A2

The printer ran out of paper.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • hoja (sheet, leaf)
  • folio (folio, leaf (more formal))

Common Collocations

  • papel de regalo – wrapping paper
  • papel higiénico – toilet paper
  • papel de cocina – paper towel
  • una hoja de papel – a sheet of paper

role

Also: part
NounmB1
A figure wearing a simple, smiling comedy theatrical mask, standing center stage under a bright yellow spotlight.

📝 In Action

El actor hizo un papel increíble en la película.

B1

The actor played an incredible role in the movie.

Ella juega un papel muy importante en nuestra empresa.

B2

She plays a very important role in our company.

A cada miembro del equipo se le asignó un papel específico.

B2

Each team member was assigned a specific role.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • función (function, role)
  • personaje (character (in a story))

Common Collocations

  • hacer un papel / jugar un papel – to play a role
  • desempeñar un papel – to perform/play a role (slightly more formal)
  • el papel principal – the main role / the lead

Idioms & Expressions

  • hacer el papelón – To make a fool of oneself, to make a scene.

document

Also: papers
NounmB1
A neat stack of pale yellow official-looking documents secured with a thick red ribbon, sitting on a wooden desk.

📝 In Action

Por favor, firme este papel para confirmar su cita.

B1

Please sign this document to confirm your appointment.

Perdí mis papeles y no puedo viajar.

B2

I lost my papers and I can't travel.

El oficial de inmigración me pidió los papeles.

B2

The immigration officer asked me for my papers.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • los papeles del coche – the car's registration papers
  • poner algo en papel – to put something in writing

🔀 Commonly Confused With

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "papel" in Spanish:

document→paper→papers→part→role→sheet→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: papel

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'papel' to mean 'role'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
papelería(stationery store) — Noun
papeleo(paperwork) — Noun
empapelar(to wallpaper) — Verb
portapapeles(clipboard) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

The word 'papel' comes from Catalan 'paper', which itself comes from the Latin 'papȳrus'. This was the name for the thick, paper-like material made from the papyrus plant in ancient Egypt. So, every time you use a piece of paper, you're connected to a thousands-of-years-old tradition!

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: paperFrench: papierItalian: papiroGerman: Papier

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between 'papel' and 'periódico'?

'Papel' is the physical material you write on. 'Periódico' (or 'diario') is the newspaper that's printed on that material. So you read the 'periódico', which is made of 'papel'.

Is 'papel' always masculine?

Yes, always! It's 'el papel' for 'the paper' and 'un papel' for 'a paper'. This is true for all of its meanings.