picche
/ˈpik.ke/
In Italian, the card game spades is referred to using the word picche.
The word picche is used to denote the suit of spades in a deck of cards.
Meaning: card game (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word picche literally refers to the suit of spades.
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify a card belonging to the spades suit, use the preposition di followed by picche (e.g., di picche). The word picche itself is a feminine plural noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ˈpik.ke/. The stress is on the first of the two syllables.
Did you know?
- In Italian, 'to take the spades' or prendere le picche is a common idiom used to describe being rejected by a romantic interest. It is the Italian equivalent of 'getting the cold shoulder'.
- The word picche is derived from the 'pike' weapon, a long spear used by infantry. In Italian card decks, the suit of spades originally represented the military class.
- While English speakers use 'spades' to refer to the tool, the Italian word picche refers exclusively to the weapon or the card suit. An Italian would never use picche to describe a shovel.
Examples in context
- Ho il re di picche.I have the King of Spades.This sentence is useful for stating that you have the King of Spades using picche.Tatoeba #10536622 by Guybrush88, translation #10288187 by ddnktr
- Ho l'asso di picche.I have the ace of spades.This sentence is useful for stating that you have the ace of spades using picche.Tatoeba #2528231 by Guybrush88, translation #2528229 by CM
- Chi ha l'asso di picche?Who has the ace of spades?This sentence is useful for asking who has the ace of spades using picche.Tatoeba #10912690 by Guybrush88, translation #10900198 by CM
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Francesco are playing cards together.
- ChiaraChe seme preferisci per questa mano?Which suit do you prefer for this hand?
- FrancescoIo scelgo picche, sono più forti.I choose spades, they are stronger.
- ChiaraVa bene, allora giochiamo con picche.All right, then let's play with spades.
- FrancescoPerfetto, tocca a te muovere.Perfect, it's your turn to move.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry picche, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
