Escribo en papel o escribo en un papel?

Question

Answer 1

I write on paper

The Egyptians on the other hand wrote on papyrus.

Same in Spanish.

Escribo en papel...¡y no en la mano!

(some people write phone numbers on their hands or arms )

Answer 2

So, what does it mean? Con un o sin un?

Regarding the use of indefinite articles, you should look up one of our threads telling you that if the noun is unmodified the indefinite article is less likely to be used (esp. with professions, religions, etc after Ser)., but if the noun is modified then the indefinite article is used.

una hoja de papel

en papel

My point was that you write on a sheet of paper. I write on paper...sounds like it is missing something.

Answer 3

clipped online: ...write on a blank sheet of paper....

Con una lapicera de tinta negra deberá escribir en una hoja de papel en blanco el nombre de la persona que desea anular.

Answer 4

Does that mean if a classifier is used, the indefinite article is always used?

No.

There was a big table in the room. There was a sheet of paper and a piece of cloth on the table. The sheet of paper was yellow and the piece of cloth was blue.

• Nice examples. - qfreed Nov 22, 2011

Answer 5

In English, we hear people say, 'put it on paper', meaning to write it down.

Would that translate in Spanish then as 'ponlo en papel'? Or 'escribelo en papel'?

• poner por escrito: they use the same phrase for put in writing. - lorenzo9 Nov 22, 2011

Answer 6

So, what does it mean? Con un o sin un?

• en una hoja de papel, gfreed dice - annierats Nov 22, 2011

Answer 7

qfreed,

Does that mean if a classifier is used, the indefinite article is always used?

E.g.

a sheet ofpaper vs paper

a cup oftea vs tea

• Don't ever say "always" concerning Spanish grammar. - qfreed Nov 22, 2011