tarjeta de felicitación
/taɾxeta de feliθitaθjon/from spelling rulesfeminine
The English phrase 'greeting card' is tarjeta de felicitación in Spanish.
This term refers to a card sent as a greeting.
Meaning: card sent as a greeting (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of tarjeta (card) and de felicitación (of congratulation/congratulations).
Which one should you use?
A common specific type of greeting card is a tarjeta de cumpleaños (birthday card).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Latin America, the term tarjeta de felicitaciones may be used.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, only the noun tarjeta is pluralized to tarjetas, while the prepositional phrase remains the same.
How do you pronounce it?
/taɾxeta de feliθitaθjon/
Did you know?
- While an English speaker might send a greeting card for any occasion, a tarjeta de felicitación is specifically for celebratory events and would not be used for a sympathy or get-well card.
- The word tarjeta is actually a diminutive form of the word tarja, which originally referred to a plate or a shield.
- Because felicitación comes from the Latin 'felix', saying it carries a linguistic-coded wish for the recipient to be 'lucky' or 'blessed'.
Examples in context
- Le compré una hermosa tarjeta de saludo para su cumpleaños.I bought her a beautiful greeting card for her birthday.
- Gracias por la tarjeta de felicitación. Estoy emocionado por tu logro.Thank you for the greeting card. I'm thrilled about your achievement.
- ¡Hola! Te envié una postal de felicitación para celebrar tu nuevo trabajo.Hi! I sent you a greeting card to celebrate your new job.
- Compré una tarjeta de felicitación para mi madre.I bought a greeting card for my mother.
- Ella recibió una tarjeta de felicitación muy bonita.She received a very beautiful greeting card.
- Necesito escribir una tarjeta de felicitación para el cumpleañero.I need to write a greeting card for the birthday boy.
Example conversation
María and Javier are at a stationery store.
- María¿Buscas una tarjeta de felicitación?Are you looking for a greeting card?
- JavierSí, quiero una tarjeta de felicitación para mi hermano.Yes, I want a greeting card for my brother.
- MaríaEsta tarjeta de felicitación es perfecta para él.This greeting card is perfect for him.
- JavierTienes razón, me la llevaré.You are right, I will take it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “greeting card” translations, 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 de, felicitación, tarjeta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
