Playing Card Translation

[GusGorman]

Hello,

I am a brand new member to these forums. You all seem incredibly helpful, I just wish I could provide just as much knowledge in return.

My request is for the translation of "playing card." My automated internet queries return "纸牌" so I would like to know: a) if this is correct, and B) if someone would be kind enough to provide a workable spelling using letters from the English alphabet.

I sincerely appreciate any insight you are able to share. Thank you very much.

-- Gus

[ABCinChina]

I think the correct term is 撲克牌. If you have no knowledge of pinyin, then a close sound in English would be something like "pooh kuh! pai?" Remember to pronounce the second sound like you are mad, and the last sound as if you were asking a question.

[GusGorman]

Hi ABCinChina,

Thank you very much for your detailed response, it is greatly appreciated!

-- Gus

[here2learn]

Not TOO mad though.

I mean, don't spit or add any rude gestures when you say it, just make sure your voice goes downward.

(good explanation for a newbie, ABCinchina)

[robin0941]

the sound 撲克 is from "poker"

牌 means card

in this case,撲克and牌 must use together ,you can't only say 撲克

so in chinese,撲克牌=poker...

紙牌 includs all kinds of playing card

紙 means paper

牌 means card

i don't know to explain the pronunciation of 紙

because there isn't any alike sound in english

[GusGorman]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you so much for the extra information, but now some doubts are starting to creep in (on my part, not any of yours).

I fear as though I might have been too vague in my initial query. I am looking to say "Playing Card" as an object; the pieces of cardboard that people play games with. I hope it didn't seem as though I was asking about the act of playing cards; that is not what I was referring to.

So is ABCinChina's response still correct given this new information, or did robin0941 reveal a more accurate translation?

Thank you again all so much for helping me with this.

-- Gus

[monto]

You seem in need for the terms used in playing card:

Spade: "黑桃"

Heart: "红桃" or "红心"

Diamond: "方块儿" or "方片"

Club: "梅花" or "草花"

A: "A" (alphabet) or "尖儿" or even "Ace"

K: "K" (alphabet) or "凯" or "King"

Q: "Q" (alphabet) or "圈儿" or "Queen"

J: "J" (alphabet) or "勾" or "丁勾" or just "Jack"

Big (Color) Joker: "大王"or "大猫"

Small(Black) Joker: "小王"or "小猫"

[gougou]

Very informative list, monto, but I think he is really just looking for the one word to say "playing card". In that case, Gus, the suggestion by ABCinChina is just fine, robin0941 was just trying to add some more background information.