placa
/ˈplaka/
In Spanish, the English phrase 'badge' (referring to a card to grant access) is translated as placa.
While placa is a common term, it is often used specifically for a police badge. If you are referring to a plastic access card or an ID card, you should use tarjeta de identificación instead of a word for a metal or physical plate.
Meaning: card to grant access (noun)
Which one should you use?
Placa refers to a physical metal badge or plate, whereas tarjeta de identificación is the appropriate term for a plastic identification or access card. Other terms include distintivo, which is an official emblem representing an organization and insignia, which describes a badge indicating a professional or honorary title.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, insignia is a common term for a badge, though chapa is also understood and used more casually. In Mexico, placa is frequently used to designate a badge, especially a police badge.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of placa is placas.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈplaka/
Did you know?
- The word placa is used for a wide variety of flat objects beyond badges, including a dental filling or a vehicle license plate.
- In Argentina, the slang term chapa for a badge literally means 'sheet metal'. Using this word signals a much more casual or street-level tone than using insignia.
- The word placa shares its roots with the English word 'plaque', which refers to the flat metal plates found on buildings or memorial monuments.
Examples in context
- El policía mostró su placa.The police officer flashed his badge.This sentence shows the use of placa in the context of a police officer.Tatoeba #10490180 by Seael, translation #3431066 by CK
- Por favor, muestre su distintivo de empleadoPlease show your employee badge.
- El detective mostró su insignia al ingresar al edificioThe detective displayed his badge when entering the building.
- La oficial llevaba una placa brillante en su uniformeThe officer wore a shiny badge on her uniform.
- Me dieron una chapa con mi nombre en la conferenciaThey gave me a badge with my name on it at the conference.
- Mi abuela le dio una chapa con su nombre a cada uno de los invitadosMy grandmother gave each guest a badge with their name on it.
- El oficial de tránsito llevaba una placa en su uniformeThe traffic officer was wearing a badge on his uniform.
- No encuentro mi placa de identificación.I can't find my identification badge.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Lucía are at the entrance of an office.
- AlejandroLucía, ¿tienes tu placa?Lucía, do you have your badge?
- LucíaNo, creo que la olvidé en casa.No, I think I forgot it at home.
- AlejandroNo puedes pasar sin la placa.You cannot enter without the badge.
- LucíaVoy a pedir una temporal.I am going to ask for a temporary one.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry placa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries placa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
