carta di credito
/ˈkar.ta di ˈkre.di.to/word by wordfeminine
The English phrase "credit card" is translated into Italian as carta di credito.
carta di credito is a feminine noun used to refer to a card connected to a credit account for the purpose of buying goods or services. For specific brands, you might see Carta di Credito Visa or Carta di Credito American Express. In casual conversation, if the context of payment is already clear, Italians often shorten the phrase to just carta.
Meaning: card connected to a credit account used to buy goods or services (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of carta (card), di (of) and credito (credit), literally meaning "card of credit".
Which one should you use?
Use carta di credito when referring specifically to a credit account, whereas carta di debito is the term used for a debit card.
How does it change in a sentence?
To form the plural, only the noun carta changes to carte. The prepositional phrase di credito remains singular, resulting in carte di credito.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /ˈkar.ta di ˈkre.di.to/. It has 5 syllables, and the stress is on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- In many Italian shops, you might hear the phrase pos instead of carta di credito when the clerk asks how you will pay.
- The word carta is also the standard word for 'paper', meaning the etymological root of your plastic card is actually the material used for writing.
- Because carta also means 'playing card', using the word without context in a game room could lead to a funny misunderstanding.
Examples in context
- Ha una carta di credito?Do you have a credit card?This sentence is useful for asking if someone possesses a carta di credito.Tatoeba #3633591 by Guybrush88, translation #62771 by Eldad
- Ho una carta di credito.I have a credit card.This sentence is useful for stating that you possess a carta di credito.Tatoeba #7055543 by Guybrush88, translation #2635769 by CK
- Contanti o carta di credito?Cash or credit card?This sentence is useful for asking a choice between cash and a carta di credito.Tatoeba #1543465 by Guybrush88, translation #1543463 by JimBreen
- 67 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sofia and Matteo are at a restaurant paying the bill.
- SofiaPossiamo pagare con la carta di credito?Can we pay with the credit card?
- MatteoSì, accettiamo tutte le carte.Yes, we accept all cards.
- SofiaOttimo, ecco la mia carta di credito.Great, here is my credit card.
- MatteoGrazie, Sofia. Un momento solo.Thank you, Sofia. Just one moment.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “credit card” translations and entries carta di credito, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (carta, di, credito) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries carta, credito, di, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
