Paragraf

Paragraf is a term used in several languages to denote a numbered subdivision within a legal act, contract, regulation, or other formal document. It usually refers to a discrete provision that can be cited independently of the rest of the text. The exact scope—whether it corresponds to what English speakers would call a paragraph or a section—varies by jurisdiction and legal tradition.

In German, Polish, Turkish and many other legal systems, paragraf distinguishes a specific provision; in German texts the section sign § is used, commonly followed by a number (for example § 2 or § 12). In German, further subdivisions may be indicated as Absätze or Unterabschnitte. In Polish law, a statute is typically organized into articles (artykuł) and paragraphs (paragraf), where the latter groups provisions within an article. Russian and other Slavic languages use a cognate form (paragraf/параграф) to denote paragraphs of texts, including laws and contracts.

The term also appears in ordinary language in some languages to mean simply a paragraph of writing. Etymologically, paragraf derives from Greek paragraphe through Latin and various European languages, reflecting its function as a separately cited unit of text.

Note: The precise structure and naming conventions—article, paragraph, chapter—are jurisdiction-dependent, and readers should consult local legal style guides for exact usage.