Inklingo

How to Say "chip" in Spanish

English → Spanish

ficha

FEE-chahˈfitʃa

nounA1general
Use 'ficha' when referring to a token used in games, especially for gambling like poker.
A single red wooden board game piece sitting on a wooden surface.

Examples

Necesito más fichas para seguir jugando.

I need more chips to keep playing.

Es tu turno, mueve una ficha.

It's your turn, move a piece.

Perdí una ficha roja de mi juego de parchís.

I lost a red piece from my Parcheesi game.

Introduce la ficha en la máquina para empezar.

Insert the token into the machine to start.

Always Feminine

The word 'ficha' is always feminine. Even if the game piece represents a king or a male soldier, you still say 'la ficha'.

Ficha vs. Moneda

Use 'ficha' for plastic or metal discs used in machines (like at a laundry or arcade). Use 'moneda' for actual currency/money.

Confusing Ficha and Pieza

Mistake: “Using 'ficha' for complex 3D characters.”

Correction: Use 'ficha' for flat things (chips, checkers, dominoes). For 3D characters like in Monopoly or Dungeons & Dragons, use 'figura' or 'pieza'.

tarjeta

tar-HEH-tahtaɾˈxeta

nounB1technical
Use 'tarjeta' when talking about electronic components, such as a graphics card or a memory card in a device.
A rectangular green circuit board covered in small stylized electronic components and simple copper traces.

Examples

La tarjeta de sonido de mi computadora está defectuosa.

My computer's sound card is faulty.

Mi computadora necesita una nueva tarjeta gráfica.

My computer needs a new graphics card.

La tarjeta madre es el componente principal del sistema.

The motherboard (mother card) is the main component of the system.

Ficha vs. Tarjeta

The most common mistake is using 'ficha' for electronic components. Remember that 'ficha' specifically refers to tokens or markers, while 'tarjeta' is for circuit boards and cards within devices.

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