‘贺卡’ (hè kǎ) literally combines ‘贺’ (hè), meaning ‘to congratulate’ or ‘to celebrate’, and ‘卡’ (kǎ), meaning ‘card’. Together, it refers to a physical or digital card used to express goodwill on special occasions—such as birthdays, weddings, Chinese New Year, or graduations. Unlike everyday notes or letters, 贺卡 is intentionally decorative and formal, often featuring festive imagery, handwritten messages, and signatures.

This word is commonly used in both spoken and written Chinese, especially during holiday seasons or life milestones. It’s neutral in register—appropriate for friends, family, and colleagues—but carries warm, positive connotations. While electronic versions (e-cards) are increasingly common, the term 贺卡 still primarily evokes traditional paper cards with envelopes. It’s distinct from business-related cards like 名片 (míngpiàn, ‘business card’) or ID cards (身份证, shēnfènzhèng), which serve functional rather than celebratory purposes.