Inklingo

How to Say "yellow card" in Spanish

English → Spanish

amarilla

ah-mah-REE-yah/a.maˈɾi.ʝa/

nounB1sports/soccer penalty
Use 'amarilla' as a standalone, informal noun when referring specifically to a yellow card in sports contexts, especially soccer.
A simplified illustration of a soccer referee's hand holding up a solid yellow rectangular penalty card.

Examples

El jugador recibió una amarilla por protestar la decisión del árbitro.

The player received a yellow card for protesting the referee's decision.

Si le sacan otra amarilla, será expulsado del partido.

If they show him another yellow card, he will be sent off the match.

Shortened Noun

This noun is short for tarjeta amarilla (yellow card). Because tarjeta is feminine, the shortened version la amarilla is also feminine.

tarjeta

/tar-HEH-tah//taɾˈxeta/

nounB2tarjeta amarilla
Use 'tarjeta amarilla' (yellow card) as a more formal or descriptive term, or when the context isn't exclusively sports-related, though it's often used in sports too.
A hand holding a bright red rectangular penalty card high in the air against a simple green background.

Examples

El árbitro le mostró la tarjeta amarilla después de la falta.

The referee showed him the yellow card after the foul.

El árbitro le mostró la tarjeta roja después de la falta.

The referee showed him the red card after the foul.

Ya tiene una tarjeta amarilla, debe jugar con cuidado.

He already has a yellow card; he must play carefully.

Using 'tarjeta' alone

Learners often mistakenly use 'tarjeta' alone to mean 'yellow card'. While 'tarjeta' means 'card', it's too general. You must specify 'tarjeta amarilla' or use the more common, informal 'amarilla' for clarity.

Related Translations

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