A2 noun Neutre #4,000 le plus courant 3 min de lecture

card

/ˈkaɾ.tɐ/
Practice it

Overview

In Portuguese, the translation for 'card' depends heavily on the context and the specific type of card you are referring to. The two most common translations are 'cartão' (masculine) and 'carta' (feminine), each with distinct usages.

'Cartão' is the broader and more frequently used term when 'card' refers to a small, rectangular piece of plastic or thick paper used for identification, transactions, or other specific purposes. This includes:

  • Credit/Debit Cards: 'Cartão de crédito' and 'cartão de débito' are standard terms for financial cards. For example, 'Eu perdi meu cartão de crédito' (I lost my credit card).
  • ID Cards: 'Cartão de identidade' or simply 'cartão de identificação' for identity cards. 'Você precisa do seu cartão de identidade para entrar' (You need your ID card to enter).
  • Gift Cards: 'Cartão presente' is the common translation. 'Ganhei um cartão presente de Natal' (I got a gift card for Christmas).
  • Loyalty Cards: 'Cartão de fidelidade' for store loyalty programs. 'Não se esqueça do seu cartão de fidelidade para acumular pontos' (Don't forget your loyalty card to accumulate points).
  • Business Cards: 'Cartão de visitas' for professional contact cards. 'Ele me deu seu cartão de visitas' (He gave me his business card).
  • Greeting Cards: 'Cartão de aniversário' (birthday card), 'cartão de Natal' (Christmas card), or 'cartão de felicitações' (greeting card). 'Mandei um cartão de aniversário para minha avó' (I sent a birthday card to my grandmother).
  • SIM Cards: 'Cartão SIM' for mobile phone subscriber identity modules.

'Carta' is specifically used when 'card' refers to a playing card from a deck of cards, or a written letter. This includes:

  • Playing Cards: When you are referring to cards in a game (like poker or bridge), 'carta' is the correct term. The entire deck is 'baralho', and individual cards are 'cartas'. For example, 'Ele tirou uma carta do baralho' (He drew a card from the deck) or 'É a sua vez de jogar uma carta' (It's your turn to play a card).
  • Letters (correspondence): 'Carta' is also the word for a written letter sent by mail. For example, 'Recebi uma carta de minha tia' (I received a letter from my aunt).

In summary, if the 'card' is generally a functional, often plastic, small rectangle used for modern purposes (banking, ID, gifts, etc.), use 'cartão'. If it's a playing card or a written letter, use 'carta'. Always consider the context to choose the appropriate translation.

Exemples

1

Can I pay by card?

When making a payment

Posso pagar com cartão?

2

Here's my business card.

Exchanging contact information

Aqui está o meu cartão de visita.

3

The playing cards are on the table.

Referring to playing cards in a game

As cartas de jogar estão na mesa.

4

I sent her a birthday card.

Referring to a greeting card

Enviei-lhe um cartão de aniversário.

5

He was given a red card in the game.

In a sports context, disciplinary action

Ele recebeu um cartão vermelho no jogo.

Collocations courantes

cartão de crédito
cartão de débito
cartão de visita
cartão postal

Souvent confondu avec

card vs carta

Card (playing card, or a general term for a flat, stiff piece of paper or plastic with writing or a picture on it) vs. 'cartão' (a specific type of card, often used for identification, credit, or greeting, and generally made of plastic or thicker paper)

card vs menu

A list of dishes available in a restaurant vs. 'cartão' (a general term for a card)

Modèles grammaticaux

um cartão de crédito (a credit card) o cartão de embarque (the boarding pass) este cartão é válido (this card is valid)

How to Use It

Notes d'usage

The Portuguese word for 'card' is generally 'cartão' (masculine noun). However, its usage is highly dependent on the specific type of card being referred to. For example, when talking about a credit or debit card, you would use 'cartão de crédito' or 'cartão de débito.' For a business card, it's 'cartão de visita.' A playing card is 'carta de baralho' or simply 'carta,' where 'carta' alone can also mean 'letter.' A greeting card, such as a birthday or Christmas card, is typically 'cartão de aniversário' or 'cartão de Natal.' An identification card is 'cartão de identificação' or 'carteira de identidade' (especially in Brazil). A postcard is 'cartão postal.' When referring to a smart card or a loyalty card, 'cartão inteligente' or 'cartão de fidelidade' are used, respectively. It's important to note the gender agreement; since 'cartão' is masculine, any adjectives modifying it would also be masculine (e.g., 'um cartão novo' - a new card). The plural form is 'cartões.' Context is key when using 'cartão,' as the specific phrase will clarify its meaning.

Erreurs courantes

Ensure you use the correct word based on context. 'Cartão' is for things like credit cards, business cards, or playing cards. 'Carta' is for letters or sometimes playing cards (e.g., 'cartas de baralho'). 'Ficha' can also mean a small card, like a token or an index card.

Tips

💡

cartão

This is the most common and versatile translation for 'card' in Portuguese, applicable to various contexts such as credit cards, identification cards, playing cards, etc.

💡

carta

While 'carta' can sometimes mean 'card' (especially in the context of playing cards or tarot cards), its primary meaning is 'letter'. Using 'carta' for a general 'card' might lead to confusion.

💡

ficha

This word can be used for 'card' in specific contexts, such as a token or a small record card, like a 'file card' or 'index card'. However, it's not a general translation for all types of cards.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Old French word 'carte', which itself came from the Latin 'charta', meaning 'paper' or 'leaf'. This Latin term originated from the Ancient Greek 'khartēs' (χάρτης), also referring to a 'layer of papyrus' or 'sheet of paper'. The diminutive suffix '-ão' in Portuguese often indicates augmentation or, in this case, a specific type or form of the base word. The evolution from a general term for paper to a specific rectangular piece for various uses (like playing cards, identification, or financial transactions) reflects the material's adaptation over centuries. The concept of a 'card' as we know it today, particularly in the sense of a 'bank card' or 'ID card', solidified in the modern era, but its linguistic roots are ancient, tracing back to early forms of written communication and record-keeping on paper-like materials. The word 'cartão' in Portuguese, therefore, encapsulates this long history, starting from ancient papyrus to the contemporary plastic rectangle. Its English counterpart 'card' shares a similar etymological path through French and Latin, highlighting the interconnectedness of European languages in describing common objects.

Contexte culturel

In Portuguese-speaking cultures, the word 'cartão' (card) holds diverse meanings and cultural significance depending on the context. For instance, a 'cartão de crédito' (credit card) is a ubiquitous tool for financial transactions, reflecting the increasing integration of digital payment systems in daily life. 'Cartão de visita' (business card) is still widely used in professional settings, embodying a tradition of formal introductions and networking, particularly in more traditional business environments. 'Cartão postal' (postcard) carries a nostalgic charm, often associated with travel, holiday greetings, and a more personal form of communication compared to digital messages. 'Cartão de identificação' (identification card) is a fundamental document, crucial for official procedures, access to services, and verifying identity, underscoring the importance of formal identification in society. Furthermore, in social contexts, a 'cartão de aniversário' (birthday card) or 'cartão de Natal' (Christmas card) are common ways to express well wishes and maintain social ties, even as digital greetings become more prevalent. The act of giving and receiving these physical cards often carries a sentimental value, reflecting personal connections and thoughtful gestures within Portuguese-speaking communities.

Astuce mémo

Visualize a 'card' you use daily, like a credit card or playing card, and associate it with the Portuguese word. Perhaps imagine a 'carta' (letter/card) being delivered.

Questions fréquentes

4 questions

The most common Portuguese word for 'card' (referring to a small rectangular piece of plastic or paper) is 'cartão'. This can be used for a variety of cards, such as a credit card, debit card, identification card, business card, or even a playing card. It's a versatile term that covers a broad spectrum of uses for this object, making it the primary translation you'll encounter.

To say 'credit card' in Portuguese, you would use 'cartão de crédito'. The word 'crédito' specifically indicates the type of card, differentiating it from other kinds of cards. This phrase is widely understood and used in all Portuguese-speaking countries when referring to this common payment method.

For 'debit card' in Portuguese, the correct term is 'cartão de débito'. Similar to 'credit card', the word 'débito' specifies the function of the card, indicating that funds are directly withdrawn from an account. This phrasing is standard and will be recognized in financial contexts.

While 'cartão' is the most general term, there are some specific contexts where other words might be used, though 'cartão' often remains applicable. For instance, a 'playing card' can be 'carta de baralho' or simply 'carta' in a more informal context, although 'cartão' is still often used for the physical card itself. A 'post card' is 'cartão postal'. However, for the general sense of a small rectangular piece of plastic or paper, 'cartão' is almost always the appropriate and most common translation.

Teste-toi

fill blank

Eu preciso de um ____ para sacar dinheiro no caixa eletrônico.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
fill blank

Você aceita ____ de crédito?

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :
fill blank

Esqueci meu ____ de identidade em casa.

Correct ! Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte :

Score : /3

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