Spanish word

carné

Pronunciation

IPA/kaɾˈne/

Meaning

  • masculine noundriver's license

Example

¿Tienes el carné de conducir?

Do you have your driver's license?

Illustration for carné (driver's license)

More examples

Tengo que renovar el carné de conducir este mes.

I have to renew my driver's license this month.

Core concept

Small identity or membership card in card format.

Common phrases

  • el carné de conducir

    driver's license

  • sacar el carné de conducir

    get a driver's license

  • renovar el carné de conducir

    renew a driver's license

Similar words

licencia: Official document issued by authorities that certifies the right to drive.
permiso: Certificate that grants permission to perform a specific action or activity.
documento: Official paper used to prove a person's identity, status, or qualifications.
identificación: Official card used to verify and confirm a person's identity.

Definition in Spanish

Documento en forma de tarjeta o libreta pequeña que acredita la identidad o una autorización concreta, como el carné de conducir o el carné de estudiante.

Word origin

Spanish carné is a borrowing of French carnet 'little notebook' that has shifted in Spanish from meaning a small booklet to a wallet-sized card proving identity or a particular authorization.

Usage tips

  • The acute accent on carné marks stress and separates it from carne 'meat', and speakers frequently include a descriptive phrase (for example de conducir) to avoid ambiguity.

Other meanings

  • identification cardnoun
  • membership cardnoun
  • student identification cardnoun

Word lists with this word