tarjeta postal
/taɾxeta postal/from spelling rulesfeminine
The English word "postcard" is translated into Spanish as tarjeta postal. Wiktionary also lists postal.
Meaning: rectangular piece of thick paper to be mailed without an envelope (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tarjeta postal | /taɾxeta postal/ (from spelling rules) | feminine |
| postal | /posˈtal/ | feminine |
A postcard is a rectangular piece of thick paper intended to be mailed without an envelope. In many contexts, the single word postal can be used as a noun to mean a postcard.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tarjeta postal is composed of tarjeta (card) and postal (postal or relating to the mail).
How does it change in a sentence?
Both forms are feminine. To form the plural of tarjeta postal, you must pluralize both the noun and the adjective to get tarjetas postales.
How do you pronounce it?
/taɾxeta postal/
Did you know?
- Because tarjeta comes from a word meaning a plate or shield, it is a distant linguistic relative of the English word 'target'.
- While tarjeta means 'card', it is used for everything from credit cards to greeting cards and postcards.
- In Spanish, the gender of tarjeta postal remains feminine even when postal is used alone as a noun.
Examples in context
- Le envió una postal.She sent him a postcard.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the word postal.Tatoeba #1507415 by marcelostockle, translation #887379 by CK
- Le envió una postal desde Boston.She sent him a postcard from Boston.This sentence shows how to describe sending a postal from a specific location.Tatoeba #1507414 by marcelostockle, translation #887378 by CK
- Mis padres me mandaron una postal.My parents sent me a postcard.This sentence demonstrates the use of postal when talking about receiving mail from someone.Tatoeba #1334139 by Shishir, translation #325651 by CK
- ¿Dónde puedo comprar tarjetas postales?Where can I buy postcards?
- Me enviaron una postal desde Barcelona.I received a postcard from Barcelona.
- Me gustaría enviarles unas cuantas postalitas desde mi viaje.I would like to send you a few postcards from my trip.
- ¡Me encantaría recibir una cartolina de tu viaje a Cuba!I would love to receive a postcard from your trip to Cuba!
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are talking about their vacation photos.
- ElenaVoy a comprar una tarjeta postal para mi abuela.I am going to buy a postcard for my grandmother.
- AlejandroEs un detalle muy bonito, Elena.That is a very nice gesture, Elena.
- Elena¿Quieres que te escriba una tarjeta postal también?Do you want me to write you a postcard too?
- AlejandroSí, me encantaría recibir una.Yes, I would love to receive one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “postcard” translations and entries tarjeta postal, postal, 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 postal, tarjeta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
