carte da gioco
The English phrase 'playing cards' is translated into Italian as carte da gioco.
The phrase carte da gioco refers to a set of cards used for games. In casual conversation, Italians often simplify this by saying le carte when the context of a game is already clear. Other related expressions include giocare a carte to say 'to play cards', perdere a carte for 'to lose at cards' and mazzi di carte for 'decks of cards'.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of carte (cards) and da gioco (for play or for gaming).
How does it change in a sentence?
While carte da gioco is the general term, you can specify a single unit by using the phrase un mazzo di carte da gioco to mean 'a deck of playing cards'. To refer to a single specific card, you use the singular form carta da gioco.
Did you know?
- The face cards in traditional Italian decks use fante (jack), cavallo (knight) and re (king), where the knight is depicted on horseback.
- While English speakers use 'hearts' and 'diamonds', the traditional Italian carte regionali use coppe for cups and denari for coins.
- The Italian word gioco for 'game' is a linguistic cousin of the English word 'joke'. Both share a root in the Latin word iocus, which referred to a jest or a pastime.
Examples in context
- Abbiamo bisogno di un mazzo di carte da gioco.We need a deck of playing cards.
- Dove hai messo le carte da gioco?Where did you put the playing cards?
- Mi piacciono molto le carte da gioco.I really like playing cards.
Example conversation
Lorenzo and Giulia are at a cafe during a break.
- LorenzoGiulia, hai portato le carte da gioco?Giulia, did you bring the playing cards?
- GiuliaSì, sono nello zaino.Yes, they are in the backpack.
- LorenzoPerfetto, giochiamo una partita?Perfect, shall we play a game?
- GiuliaCertamente, iniziamo subito.Certainly, let's start right away.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries da, gioco, CC BY-SA 4.0.
