picas
/ˈpikas/
In Spanish, the word for spades is picas.
Meaning: card game (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈpikas/
Did you know?
- While English speakers call the suit 'spades' due to the garden tool, the Spanish picas refers to the physical shape of a pike or spear head. This reflects a historical focus on the weapon's shape rather than the tool's utility.
- The word pica is also used in Spanish to describe a 'sting' or a sharp prick, reflecting the piercing nature of the suit's symbol.
- The terminology for this suit in Spanish is identical to the word for the long spears used by historical infantry.
Examples in context
- Tengo el as de picas.I have the ace of spades.This sentence is useful for identifying a specific card, the ace of picas.Tatoeba #5837682 by albrusgher, translation #2528229 by CM
- Yo tengo el rey de picas.I have the King of Spades.This sentence is useful for identifying a specific card, the king of picas.Tatoeba #10288190 by Seael, translation #10288187 by ddnktr
- Tom levantó la reina de picas.Tom held up the queen of spades.This sentence is useful for identifying a specific card, the queen of picas.Tatoeba #5837948 by albrusgher, translation #5730941 by CM
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Javier and María are playing cards at a cafe.
- Javier¿Quieres jugar una partida de picas?Do you want to play a game of spades?
- MaríaSí, me encanta jugar a las picas.Yes, I love playing spades.
- JavierYo repartiré las cartas ahora.I will deal the cards now.
- MaríaPerfecto, empecemos la partida de picas.Perfect, let's start the game of spades.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry picas, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
