1.
scrap of paper; slip of paper
A small or insignificant piece of paper. Can be neutral (a memo or note) or dismissive (implying something is worthless).
紙切れにメモした。
I jotted it down on a scrap of paper.
ポケットから紙切れが出てきた。
A slip of paper came out of my pocket.
こんな契約書はただの紙切れにすぎない。
A contract like this is nothing more than a worthless piece of paper.
Composed of 紙 (paper) + 切れ (piece, scrap). The suffix 〜切れ indicates a small fragment cut or torn from something larger.
When used literally, it simply means a small piece of paper. When used figuratively — especially with ただの紙切れ — it dismisses something (a document, certificate, or contract) as worthless or meaningless.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- ただの紙切れ: just a scrap of paper (dismissive)
- 一枚の紙切れ: a single piece of paper
- 紙切れにすぎない: nothing more than a piece of paper
RELATED WORDS:
- 布切れ: scrap of cloth — same pattern with fabric
- 端切れ: remnant, scrap — leftover fabric from cutting