Translation guide
The English word 'card' covers many physical and digital objects, from payment cards to playing cards. This guide helps learners choose the right Japanese word based on what kind of card they mean.
A flat, usually plastic card used for identification, membership, payment, or access.
The most common and versatile word for any plastic or paper card, including credit cards, membership cards, and ID cards. Borrowed from English.
Do you have a credit card?
One of a set of small rectangular pieces of stiff paper used in games.
A piece of stiff paper with a message, sent on special occasions.
Used for greeting cards, birthday cards, etc. Often combined with the occasion.
A small card with one's name and professional information.
The standard word for business card. Exchanging 名刺 is an important ritual in Japanese business.
A circuit board or expansion card.
Used for memory cards, graphics cards, etc.
A list of dishes or options, often in a restaurant.
While not a direct translation of 'card', this is the natural word for a menu. 'Wine card' would be ワインリスト.
トランプ refers to a deck of cards or the game itself. To refer to a single playing card, use カード or 札.
Please draw one card.
Do you have a membership card?
Refers to Western-style playing cards as a whole or a deck. Note: it does not mean a single card; for one card, use カード or 札.
Let's play cards.
Can be used for a single playing card, especially in games like Pokémon or Yu-Gi-Oh!.
This card is strong.
Traditional Japanese playing cards, like hanafuda or karuta. Also used for a single card in some contexts.
I collect hanafuda cards.
I sent a birthday card.
Specifically a postcard. Used for New Year's cards (年賀状) or plain postcards.
I bought New Year's postcards.
Let's exchange business cards.
メモリーカードを入れてください。
Please insert the memory card.
Please show me the wine card/list.