Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| carta | /ˈkar.ta/ | feminine |
| scheda | /ˈskɛ.da/ | feminine |
| biglietto | /biʎˈʎet.to/ | masculine |
| card | /ˈkard/ | feminine |
Italian uses different words for 'card' depending on its function. Use carta for credit cards (carta di credito) or playing cards (carte da gioco). Use scheda for information-based cards like SIM cards (schede SIM) or memory cards (schede di memoria). Use biglietto for greeting cards (biglietti d'auguri) or invitation cards (biglietti di invito). Use mazzo di carte to refer to a deck of cards and carte da visita for business cards. The verb cardare refers to the process of using a carding device.
Which one should you use?
While carta can mean 'card', it also means 'paper' in a general sense, so the context of your sentence will determine the meaning. Use biglietto instead of carta when you specifically mean a ticket for transport or an event. Use scheda when referring to an index card or a technical data sheet used for recording information.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
carta and scheda are feminine nouns, while biglietto is a masculine noun. The borrowed word card is also feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
The word carta is pronounced /ˈkar.ta/.
Did you know?
- The word carta and the borrowed English word card are doublets, meaning they both entered the language separately but share the same Ancient Greek ancestor khártēs.
- Italian has a specific word, mazzo, used to describe a 'deck' of cards, which literally means a 'bunch' or 'bouquet' of flowers.
- The term carte da visita for business cards literally translates to 'cards for visiting', reflecting a historical custom of leaving a card when calling upon someone's home.
Examples in context
- Ecco la mia carta.Here's my card.This sentence shows how to present your card using carta.Tatoeba #1260297 by Guybrush88, translation #56192 by CK
- Dov'è la carta di Tom?Where's Tom's card?This sentence asks for the location of someone's card using carta.Tatoeba #3838641 by Guybrush88, translation #2240343 by CK
- Mi diede la sua carta.He gave me his card.This sentence describes the act of someone giving a card using carta.Tatoeba #8324196 by Guybrush88, translation #7385027 by CH
- Posso avere la sua carta da visita, per favore?Can I have your business card, please?
- Mi dai un mazzo di carte, per favore?Can you give me a deck of cards, please?
- Mi serve un biglietto d'auguri per un compleanno.I need a greeting card for a birthday.
- Ho bisogno di una carta di credito per prenotare l'albergo.I need a credit card to book the hotel.
- Mando una cartolina dalla bella Italia.I'm sending a postcard from beautiful Italy.
- 140 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Giulia and Alessandro are paying at a cafe.
- GiuliaPosso pagare con la carta?Can I pay by card?
- AlessandroSì, accettiamo tutte le carte.Yes, we accept all cards.
- GiuliaOttimo, dove metto la carta?Great, where do I put the card?
- AlessandroMettila pure nel lettore, Giulia.Just put it in the reader, Giulia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “card” translations and entries carta, scheda, biglietto, card, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries biglietto, card, carta, scheda, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
