tarjeta llave
/taɾxeta ʝabe/from spelling rules
The English phrase "key card" is translated into Spanish as tarjeta llave.
The term tarjeta llave is used to refer to a key card.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, Tarjeta de acceso is commonly used. In Argentina, the term for key card is tarjeta magnética.
How do you pronounce it?
/taɾxeta ʝabe/
Did you know?
- The word llave and the English word 'clavicle' (the collarbone) are distant cousins, as both stem from the same Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to close'.
- The word tarjeta is actually a diminutive form of the older word tarja, which originally referred to a plate or a shield.
- While tarjeta llave is a direct translation, you might also hear the word clave, which is a linguistic relative of llave and can mean 'key' in a metaphorical or musical sense.
Examples in context
- Oye, ¿me pasas la tarjeta de la habitación?Hey, can you give me the room card?
Example conversation
María and Javier are checking into a hotel.
- MaríaHola, queremos registrarnos en el hotel.Hello, we want to check in at the hotel.
- JavierPerfecto, aquí tienen su tarjeta llave.Perfect, here is your key card.
- MaríaGracias, ¿la tarjeta llave es para el ascensor?Thank you, is the key card for the elevator?
- JavierSí, María, sirve para todo el edificio.Yes, María, it works for the whole building.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries llave, tarjeta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
