Japanese for Washi Paper Folding: Asking About Direction and Alignment
Learn to ask which way to fold washi paper and whether to align the crease, with polite questions for craft workshop instructors.
By LiamCulture & nuance · Yapr Learn
When you are folding washi paper at a craft workshop, the direction of the fold and the alignment of the crease matter for a clean result. This lesson teaches you two practical questions: どちらに折りますか (dochira ni orimasu ka) to ask which way to fold, and 折り目を合わせますか (orime o awasemasu ka) to ask whether to align the crease. You will also learn key vocabulary such as 和紙 (washi) and 折り目 (orime). By the end, you can confidently ask an instructor to show you the correct fold when you are unsure.
By the end, you can…
- ask which direction to fold a piece of washi paper.
- ask whether to align the crease with a specific edge or mark.
- request that the instructor show me the fold when I am unsure.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
すみません、どちらに折りますか。
Excuse me, which way do I fold it?
Sumimasen, dochira ni orimasu ka.
Use this when you have a sheet of washi in hand and need to know the fold direction. すみません politely gets the instructor's attention.
折り目を合わせますか。
Do I align the crease?
Orime o awasemasu ka.
Ask this when you are not sure whether the folded edge should line up with another edge or a printed mark. 折り目 means the crease or folded line.
もう一度、見せていただけますか。
Could you show me one more time?
Mō ichido, misete itadakemasu ka.
A polite request to demonstrate the fold again. Use it when you want to watch the instructor's hand movement before trying yourself.
この向きでいいですか。
Is this orientation okay?
Kono muki de ii desu ka.
Use this when you are holding the washi and want to confirm that the paper is facing the right way before folding.
和紙の表はどちらですか。
Which side is the front of the washi?
Washi no omote wa dochira desu ka.
Washi often has a distinguishable front and back. Ask this before folding so the visible side ends up on the outside.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To ask about direction, use どちらに + verb. どちら means 'which direction' or 'which way' and is polite. For folding, the verb is 折ります (orimasu). Example: どちらに折りますか (Which way do I fold it?). To ask about alignment, use 〜を合わせますか (〜 o awasemasu ka). 合わせます means 'to align' or 'to match.' Example: 折り目を合わせますか (Do I align the crease?). You can replace 折り目 with other objects: 角を合わせますか (Do I align the corners?).
When to use it
Use どちらに折りますか when you are about to fold but are unsure whether the paper goes toward you, away from you, or to one side. Use 折り目を合わせますか when you need to know if the crease should match an edge, a printed line, or another folded part. If you want a demonstration, say もう一度、見せていただけますか (Could you show me one more time?). This is polite and appropriate for a workshop instructor. Avoid pointing silently; asking shows you are engaged and helps you learn the correct technique.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
すみません、この和紙はどちらに折りますか。
Excuse me, which way do I fold this washi paper?Sumimasen, kono washi wa dochira ni orimasu ka.色のついている面を外にして、手前に折ってください。
With the colored side facing out, fold it toward you.Iro no tsuite iru men o soto ni shite, temae ni otte kudasai.折り目を合わせますか。
Do I align the crease?Orime o awasemasu ka.はい、下の辺にぴったり合わせてください。
Yes, align it exactly with the bottom edge.Hai, shita no hen ni pittari awasete kudasai.A little context goes a long way
In a Japanese craft workshop, instructors often demonstrate first and then let you try. Asking もう一度、見せていただけますか is polite and shows you are paying attention. Avoid touching the instructor's tools or finished examples without permission. When you receive help, a simple ありがとうございます (arigatō gozaimasu) is appropriate. If you are unsure, it is better to ask than to guess, as washi can tear if folded incorrectly.
One thing to watch for
Using どこに折りますか (doko ni orimasu ka) to ask 'where do I fold it?'
Try this instead: どこに asks for a location, not a direction. For direction, use どちらに折りますか (dochira ni orimasu ka). Example: すみません、どちらに折りますか。 (Excuse me, which way do I fold it?)
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask 'Which way do I fold it?' in Japanese?
Show a sample answer
どちらに折りますか。
This uses どちら (which direction) and 折ります (fold). It is polite and clear. You could also say どちらに折ればいいですか (dochira ni oreba ii desu ka) for 'Which way should I fold it?'
2What does 折り目 mean?
Show a sample answer
Crease or folded line.
折り目 refers to the line made by folding. It is used in 折り目を合わせますか (Do I align the crease?).
3How would you politely ask the instructor to show you the fold again?
Show a sample answer
もう一度、見せていただけますか。
This is a polite request using 見せていただけますか (could you show me). You can also say もう一度お願いします (mō ichido onegaishimasu) for 'One more time, please.'
When folding washi, ask どちらに折りますか for direction and 折り目を合わせますか for alignment. If unsure, politely ask the instructor to show you again with もう一度、見せていただけますか。
Progress is saved on this browser.
Practice real time conversations on Yapr for faster learning.
Put today’s Japanese into a conversation with an AI tutor. Speak, make mistakes, and try again.
Practice on Yapr