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"Ficha" is a form of "ficha", a noun which is often translated as "index card". "Carpeta" is a noun which is often translated as "folder". Learn more about the difference between "carpeta" and "ficha" below.
la carpeta(
kahr
-
peh
-
tah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
b. file
Guardo todas las facturas en la carpeta que está sobre el escritorio.I keep all the bills in the file on the desk.
c. binder (with rings)
Tengo todas las notas de clase en mi carpeta.I have all my class notes in a binder.
2. (computing)
3. (case)
a. portfolio
Lucas siempre lleva una carpeta negra al trabajo.Lucas always carries a black portfolio to work.
4. (decoration) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. cover
La tía Paty nos tejió unas carpetas para los sillones.Aunt Paty knitted some covers for our armchairs.
b. table cover
Las mesas estaban decoradas con carpetas de encaje.The tables were decorated with lace table covers.
la ficha(
fee
-
chah
)A feminine noun is almost always used with feminine articles and adjectives (e.g., la mujer bonita, la luna llena).
1. (document)
a. index card
Usa fichas para anotar los datos bibliográficos.Use index cards to write down the bibliographic information.
b. card
Anota tus datos en la ficha y dásela al recepcionista, por favor.Write your information on the card and give it to the receptionist, please.
c. record card
Las fichas de los pacientes se guardan bajo llave.The patient record cards are kept under lock and key.
d. file
Le abrieron una ficha de mal comportamiento a Juanito en la escuela hoy.They opened a disciplinary file on Juanito at school today.
2. (games)
c. domino
Si colocas tu ficha de esta manera, te da ventaja.If you place your domino like this, it gives you the advantage.
a. token
¿Dónde se venden las fichas para el metrobús?Where do they sell the tokens for the metro bus?
4. (receipt)
a. ticket
El valet me dio una ficha y le entregué las llaves.The valet gave me a ticket and I handed him the keys.
5. (sports)
a. contract
El Madrid ofreció una ficha de $13.5 millones por Mourinho.Madrid offered a contract of $13.5 million for Mourinho.
b. signing-on fee
El Chelsea ofreció una ficha de más de 200 millones por Messi.Chelsea offered a signing-on fee of over 200 million for Messi.
6. (colloquial) (dangerous person) (Latin America)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. rat (colloquial)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Parece amable, pero yo lo conozco y te puedo decir que es una ficha.He seems nice, but I know him and I can tell you that he's a rat.
a. worksheet
La maestra nos dio una ficha para practicar el nuevo vocabulario.The teacher gave us a worksheet to practice the new vocabulary.
