cartas
/kaɾtas/from spelling rules
In Spanish, 'cards' can be translated as cartas.
The term cartas refers to rectangular pieces of stiff paper or plastic used for playing games or as identification. It is important to note that cartas can also mean 'letters' in the sense of written correspondence, so the context of your sentence will determine which meaning is intended.
Which one should you use?
While cartas is the common word for playing cards, naipes is a more specific term used to refer to the physical deck or the cards themselves in a formal or technical context.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Spain, the term naipes is commonly used for playing cards in both formal and informal speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing the activity of playing cards, the standard verbal construction is jugar a las cartas, which uses the preposition a. The singular form of cartas is carta.
How do you pronounce it?
/kaɾtas/
Did you know?
- While cartas is common, Spain uses a distinct baraja española deck that replaces the 'hearts' and 'diamonds' suits with 'coins' and 'cups'.
- The word carta is used in Spanish restaurants to refer to the menu, specifically the physical list of dishes.
- In some regions, the phrase tirar las cartas refers specifically to the act of fortune-telling or reading tarot cards.
Examples in context
- Juguemos a las cartas.Let's play cards.This sentence is useful for suggesting the activity of playing cards with the word cartas.Tatoeba #990607 by Shishir, translation #36914 by CK
- No juego a las cartas.I don't play cards.This sentence shows how to express that you do not play cards using cartas.Tatoeba #2154800 by hayastan, translation #2050556 by CK
- Tom repartió las cartas.Tom dealt the cards.This sentence demonstrates the action of dealing the cards using cartas.Tatoeba #1296886 by marcelostockle, translation #1026529 by CK
- ¿Puedes pasarme la baraja de cartas, por favor?Can you pass me the deck of cards, please?
- 74 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are at a cafe during a break.
- Alejandro¿Tienes las cartas para jugar?Do you have the cards to play?
- SofíaSí, las tengo en mi bolso.Yes, I have them in my bag.
- AlejandroPerfecto, busquemos una mesa.Perfect, let's find a table.
- SofíaVale, vamos.Okay, let's go.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
