ficha
nounCEFR B2
What does “ficha” mean in English?
record, card
record, card (a data card or record holding key information; ficha médica/técnica; also a game token or chip)
Example sentences
El médico actualizó la ficha del paciente con los resultados de las últimas pruebas diagnósticas.
The doctor updated the patient's record with the results of the latest diagnostic tests.
Las fichas técnicas de los automóviles presentados en el salón incluían datos sobre emisiones de CO₂.
The technical data sheets of the cars displayed at the motor show included data on CO₂ emissions.
How to use it
La ficha (noun, feminine) has two dominant B2 meanings: (1) a record, file, or data card (ficha médica/técnica/policial — a document holding key information about a person or object); (2) a token, chip, or counter used in games or systems (fichas de ajedrez/de casino/de parking). Core collocations: rellenar/actualizar una ficha; ficha técnica; ficha médica; ficha de matrícula. Distinguish from archivo (a full file/archive) and expediente (official dossier).
Common mistake
Don't confuse ficha (individual record/card) with expediente (full official dossier). 'Police record' = ficha policial or antecedentes penales. In game contexts (chip/counter) ficha is the correct term — not *chip (anglicism, though used colloquially). The plural fichas can mean 'tokens' or 'records' depending on context.