tarjeta amarilla
/taɾˌxeta amaˈɾiʝa/feminine
The English phrase "yellow card" is translated into Spanish as tarjeta amarilla.
The phrase is used in sports contexts to denote a formal warning from an official.
Meaning: card in sports (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
This phrase is composed of tarjeta (card) and amarilla (yellow).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, tarjeta amarilla is the standard and officially recognized term to refer to a yellow card.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun tarjeta is feminine, so the adjective amarilla must also be in its feminine form. To make the phrase plural, both the noun and the adjective must take the plural suffix -s, resulting in tarjetas amarillas.
How do you pronounce it?
/taɾˌxeta amaˈɾiʝa/
Did you know?
- The noun tarjeta is a diminutive of tarja, which originally referred to a metal plate or shield.
- Outside of sports, people use the phrase sacar tarjeta metaphorically to warn someone during a heated argument.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, officials prefer the verb amonestar to describe the act of issuing a tarjeta amarilla.
Examples in context
- El árbitro le mostró la tarjeta amarilla.The referee showed him the yellow card.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use tarjeta amarilla when describing a referee's action.Tatoeba #3363913 by carlosalberto, translation #3364003 by sundown
- En el último partido, el árbitro mostró una tarjeta amarilla por una falta grave.In the last game, the referee showed a yellow card for a serious foul.
- ¡Vaya! Le sacaron una amarilla al jugador por simular una falta.Wow! The player got a yellow card for diving.
- El jugador recibió una tarjeta amarilla.The player received a yellow card.
- No quiero que saques la tarjeta amarilla.I don't want you to show the yellow card.
Example conversation
Daniel and Lucía are watching a football match on TV.
- Daniel¡Mira! El árbitro sacó la tarjeta amarilla.Look! The referee showed the yellow card.
- LucíaEs una falta muy clara, Daniel.It is a very clear foul, Daniel.
- Daniel¿Crees que recibirá otra tarjeta amarilla pronto?Do you think he will receive another yellow card soon?
- LucíaEs muy probable si sigue jugando así.It is very likely if he keeps playing like that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yellow card” translations and entries tarjeta amarilla, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tarjeta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
