Spanish word

as

Pronunciation

IPA/as/

Meaning

  • masculine nounace

Example

El as de corazones ganó la partida.

The ace of hearts won the game.

Illustration for as (ace)

More examples

Tenía un as bajo la manga y ganó la discusión.

She had an ace up her sleeve and won the argument.

Core concept

Decisive ace playing card.

Common phrases

  • tener un as bajo la manga

    have an ace up one's sleeve

  • el as de corazones

    the ace of hearts

Similar words

carta: Single playing card used in a game.
naipe: Single card from a pack of playing cards, treated as an item of the deck.

Definition in Spanish

Carta de la baraja que representa el uno y, por extensión, persona o cosa que destaca por ser la mejor o el recurso decisivo.

Word origin

From Latin as (genitive assis), originally a coin-name meaning 'one', the word names the playing card and extends metaphorically to a standout person or decisive resource.

Usage tips

  • As is a masculine noun used with el and plural los ases, commonly used to praise skill (es un as en X) and also appears in the idiom tener un as bajo la manga 'to have an ace up one's sleeve'.

Other meanings

  • trump cardnoun

Word lists with this word