tarjeta
/taɾˈxeta/feminine
The English word card can be translated into Spanish as tarjeta or carta.
Meaning: flat, normally rectangular piece of stiff paper, plastic etc. (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tarjeta | /taɾˈxeta/ | feminine |
| carta | /ˈkaɾta/ | feminine |
The term tarjeta refers to small, functional items such as a tarjeta de crédito (credit card), an ID card, a business card or a greeting card like a tarjeta de cumpleaños (birthday card).
Which one should you use?
Use tarjeta for small, functional cards like credit cards, ID cards, business cards or greeting cards. In contrast, carta is used to refer to a written letter sent by mail or a restaurant menu.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both tarjeta and carta are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/taɾˈxeta/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use carta when they mean a credit card. You should use tarjeta instead.
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, a 'playing card' is called a naipe rather than a tarjeta or carta.
- The word tarjeta is actually a diminutive form, originally derived from an old word for a small plate or a shield.
- In a restaurant, you ask for the carta to see the food options, rather than a menú, which often refers to a fixed-price meal of the day.
Examples in context
- Aquí está mi tarjeta.Here's my card.This sentence is useful for identifying the location of a card.Tatoeba #1279968 by marcelostockle, translation #56192 by CK
- Mi tarjeta está cargada.My card is charged.This sentence is useful for describing the status of a card.Tatoeba #12987655 by Alejandr0, translation #2137611 by Dusaniela
- Esta carta no es para ti.This card is not for you.This sentence is useful for identifying a specific card.Tatoeba #6816476 by arh, translation #8056733 by jameslin011
- Me gustaría comprar una tarjeta de felicitación.I would like to buy a greeting card.
- Para la boda, necesitaremos tarjetas de invitación.For the wedding, we will need invitation cards.
- ¿Puedes darme una carta del juego, por favor?Can you give me a game card, please?
- Me encantó la tarjetita que me diste.I loved the little card you gave me.
- Vamos a escribir cartas de agradecimiento a nuestros abuelos.Let's write thank-you cards to our grandparents.
- 108 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Daniel and María are at a store checkout.
- Daniel¿Aceptan tarjeta aquí?Do you accept cards here?
- MaríaSí, Daniel, aceptamos tarjeta.Yes, Daniel, we accept cards.
- DanielPerfecto, buscaré mi tarjeta ahora.Perfect, I will look for my card now.
- MaríaNo hay prisa, María te espera.There is no rush, María is waiting for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “card” translations and entries tarjeta, carta, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries carta, tarjeta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
