cartas
/kar-tas/
letters
When referring to written correspondence, 'cartas' means letters.
cartas(noun)
letters
?written correspondence
incoming correspondence
,correspondence
?general written exchange
📝 In Action
Ella guarda todas las cartas de su abuela en una caja.
A1She keeps all her grandmother's letters in a box.
¿Cuántas cartas recibiste hoy en el buzón?
A1How many letters did you receive in the mailbox today?
Necesito enviar estas cartas por correo urgente.
A2I need to send these letters by express mail.
💡 Grammar Points
Plural Noun Rule
Since 'carta' (letter) ends in a vowel, you make it plural simply by adding an '-s' at the end: carta → cartas.
⭐ Usage Tips
Email vs. Physical Letters
While 'carta' refers specifically to physical letters, Spanish speakers often use 'correo electrónico' or just 'email' for digital messages.
When referring to games, 'cartas' means playing cards.
cartas(noun)
cards
?playing cards or deck
the hand
?cards held by a player
,fortune telling cards
?Tarot
📝 In Action
El mago hizo desaparecer las cartas de la baraja.
A2The magician made the cards in the deck disappear.
Hoy vamos a jugar a las cartas en casa de Ana.
A2Today we are going to play cards at Ana's house.
Me leyeron las cartas y predijeron un buen futuro.
B1They read my cards and predicted a good future.
💡 Grammar Points
Using 'a las'
When talking about playing games, Spanish often uses the structure 'jugar a' (to play) followed by the definite article. So, you must say 'jugar a las cartas' (to play the cards).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Confusing 'cartas' and 'tarjetas'
Mistake: "Using 'tarjetas' for playing cards ('Jugar a las tarjetas')."
Correction: Use 'cartas' or 'naipes' for playing cards. 'Tarjetas' are usually credit cards or small greeting cards.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cartas
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence correctly uses 'cartas' to refer to communication?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Por qué 'cartas' significa tanto 'letters' como 'playing cards'?
Historically, both correspondence (letters) and playing cards were made from the same material: heavy paper or card stock. The original Spanish word 'carta' refers to this material, and the name stuck for both objects.
If I want to talk about a menu in a restaurant, should I use 'cartas'?
No. A single menu is 'la carta' (singular). If you are referring to a wine list, you might use 'la carta de vinos,' but generally, stick to the singular 'carta' for the menu itself.