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How to Say "sheet" in Spanish

English → Spanish

hoja

OH-hah/ˈo.xa/

nounA1general
Use 'hoja' for a single piece of paper, or a flat, thin piece of material like metal or dough.
A perfectly flat, blank white sheet of rectangular paper resting on a light blue table.

Examples

Necesito una hoja de papel para escribir una nota.

I need a sheet of paper to write a note.

Por favor, firma al final de la última hoja del contrato.

Please sign at the end of the last page of the contract.

Imprimió el informe en veinte hojas.

He printed the report on twenty sheets.

La hoja del cuchillo estaba muy afilada.

The blade of the knife was very sharp.

Paper Quantity

If you are talking about the material 'paper,' use 'papel' (uncountable). If you are talking about a single unit of paper, use 'una hoja de papel' (a sheet of paper).

Meaning Extension

This meaning shows how 'hoja' evolved from 'leaf' (a thin, flat piece of nature) to any thin, flat, and often sharp or functional piece of material.

Mixing Paper and Sheet

Mistake: “Dame un papel.”

Correction: Dame una hoja de papel. (Unless you literally mean 'give me the material paper,' you usually mean 'give me a sheet.')

papel

/pa-PEL//paˈpel/

nounA1general
Use 'papel' when referring to paper in general, or as part of the common phrase 'una hoja de papel' for a single sheet.
A single, pristine white sheet of blank paper resting gently on a colorful wooden table.

Examples

Necesito una hoja de papel para dibujar.

I need a sheet of paper to draw.

Este regalo está envuelto en un papel muy bonito.

This gift is wrapped in very pretty paper.

La impresora se quedó sin papel.

The printer ran out of paper.

Always Masculine: 'el papel'

Even though 'papel' ends in -l, it's a masculine word. Always say 'el papel' (the paper) or 'un papel' (a paper).

film

/feelm//fil(m)/

nounB2general
Use 'film' for a thin, flexible sheet of plastic material, often used for protection.
A smooth, brightly colored object, like a piece of fruit, partially covered by a very thin, transparent, shimmering layer, representing a coating.

Examples

Puso un film protector sobre la pantalla del teléfono.

He put a protective film on the phone screen.

El técnico analizó el film de óxido que cubría la pieza.

The technician analyzed the film of oxide covering the part.

Technical Use

This meaning is often encountered in instructions, science, or when talking about photography equipment, referring to the actual physical material.

placa

PLAH-kah/ˈplaka/

nounB2general
Use 'placa' for a flat, rigid sheet of material such as metal or drywall.
A large, thin, rectangular sheet of shiny silver metal resting flat on a surface.

Examples

Necesitamos una placa de yeso para cubrir esta pared.

We need a sheet of drywall (gypsum plate) to cover this wall.

La placa solar genera suficiente energía para la casa.

The solar panel generates enough energy for the house.

Technical Compound Nouns

You will often see 'placa' combined with another noun to name a specific object, such as 'placa base' (motherboard) or 'placa dental' (dental plaque).

Paper vs. Material Sheets

Learners often confuse 'hoja' and 'papel' when referring to a single sheet of paper. While 'hoja' is the general term for a sheet of paper, 'papel' is also very common, especially in the phrase 'una hoja de papel'. Remember 'hoja' also applies to thin sheets of other materials.

Related Translations

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