シャープペンシル

A Japanese-made English (wasei-eigo) term — the word 'sharp pencil' is not used in English, where 'mechanical pencil' or 'propelling pencil' is standard. The name derives from an early Japanese brand 'Ever-Sharp' and became generic in Japanese.

Usage

In everyday conversation, almost always shortened to シャーペン. The full シャープペンシル appears mainly in writing, on packaging, or in formal speech. Students and office workers use them constantly; most study notes and exams in Japan are written with them.

Common collocations

• シャープペンシルで書(か)く: to write with a mechanical pencil
• シャープペンシルの芯(しん): the lead of a mechanical pencil
• シャープペンシルの芯(しん)が折(お)れる: the lead breaks
• 芯(しん)を入(い)れる: to insert lead refills
• シャープペンシルを使(つか)う: to use a mechanical pencil

Similar words

• シャーペン: everyday contraction — the usual spoken form
• 鉛筆(えんぴつ): (regular) pencil — wooden, sharpened by hand
• 芯(しん): the lead (inside a mechanical pencil or pencil)
• ボールペン: ballpoint pen
• 万年筆(まんねんひつ): fountain pen

Register

Neutral; the full form is slightly more formal than シャーペン. Both are standard. Schools and publishers typically use the full form in official documents.