tarjeta verde
/taɾxeta beɾde/from spelling rulesfeminine
The English phrase "green card" (referring to a US work permit) is tarjeta verde in Spanish. Wiktionary also lists Green Card.
Meaning: US work permit (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tarjeta verde | /taɾxeta beɾde/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| Green Card | /ɡɾeen kaɾd/ (from spelling rules) |
The term refers to a US work permit. While tarjeta verde is the literal translation, it is very common in many Spanish-speaking communities in the US to use the English term Green Card even when speaking Spanish.
Which one should you use?
tarjeta verde is the literal translation of the term, whereas Green Card is frequently used as a loanword in conversational Spanish.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Spanish-speaking communities in the US, people use the English term Green Card when speaking Spanish.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase tarjeta verde is feminine, so it must be preceded by the feminine article la.
How do you pronounce it?
/taɾxeta beɾde/
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Mi tarjeta verde es nueva.My green card is new.
- ¿Necesitas tu tarjeta verde para el trabajo?Do you need your green card for work?
- Ella tiene la tarjeta verde de Estados Unidos.She has the United States green card.
Example conversation
Mateo and Sofía are talking about immigration paperwork at home.
- Mateo¿Dónde guardaste la tarjeta verde, Sofía?Where did you keep the green card, Sofía?
- SofíaLa dejé en el cajón de los documentos.I left it in the document drawer.
- MateoGracias, la necesito para mi trámite.Thanks, I need it for my paperwork.
- SofíaEspero que todo salga bien con tu proceso.I hope everything goes well with your process.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “green card” translations and entries tarjeta verde, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries green, green card, tarjeta, verde, CC BY-SA 4.0.
