Card Language

If you want to sell cards on CardTrader, you have to know the card's language. Especially for Asian cards, this is not always simple for everybody, so we created a guide that should help you distinguish cards from all languages on sight.If you want to sell cards on CardTrader, you have to know the card's language.

If you want to sell cards on CardTrader, you have to know the card's language. Especially for Asian cards, this is not always simple for everybody, so we created a guide that should help you distinguish cards from all languages on sight.

How to recognize card's language

YES, I know the card name - You are just a few steps to discover which language is the card.
Just follow these simple instructions!
1) Open Gatherer
2) Insert the card name in the “search” box
4) Select “Languages” tab (top of the page)
3) Find your card name and language!

NO, I don’t know the card name - In this case you should focus on the “Type” of the card.
Just refer to what’s written under the art with the chart below.

Refer to what is written under the illustration and help yourself with the guide shown here by selecting the various languages ​​with which to compare the card in your possession.

Keywords for recognizing Magic cards: The Gathering in ENGLISH
ARTEFACT
CARD
CREATURE
DAMAGE
ENCHANTMENT
INSTANT
LAND
LEGENDARY
PLAYER
SORCERY
TARGET
TOKEN
Cards printed after 2015 will have the identification code EN for ENGLISH language (next to the expansion code).

To identify old cards, you can use the copyright line:
©{Year} Wizards of the Coast, Inc. All Rights reserved
Keywords to recognize Magic cards: The Gathering in  ITALIAN
ARTEFACT
CARD
CREATURE
DAMAGE
ENCHANTMENT
INSTANT
LAND
LEGENDARY
PLAYER
SORCERY
TARGET
TOKEN
artefatto
carta
creatura
danno
incantesimo
istantaneo
terra
leggendario
giocatore
stregoneria
bersaglio
pedina
Cards printed after 2015 will have the identification code IT for ITALIAN language (next to the expansion code).

To identify old cards, you can use the copyright line:
©{Year} Wizards of the Coast, Inc. Tutti i diritti riservati.
Keywords to recognize Magic cards: The Gathering in  SPANISH
ARTEFACT
CARD
CREATURE
DAMAGE
ENCHANTMENT
INSTANT
LAND
LEGENDARY
PLAYER
SORCERY
TARGET
TOKEN
artefacto
carta
criatura
daño
encantamiento
instantáneo
tierra
legendario
jugador
conjuro
objetivo
fincha
Cards printed after 2015 will have the identification code ES for SPANISH language (next to the expansion code).

To identify old cards, you can use the copyright line:
©{Year} Wizards of the Coast, Inc. Todos los derechos reservados.
Keywords to recognize Magic cards: The Gathering in PORTUGUESE
ARTEFACT
CARD
CREATURE
DAMAGE
ENCHANTMENT
INSTANT
LAND
LEGENDARY
PLAYER
SORCERY
TARGET
TOKEN
artefato
carta
criatura
dano
encantamento
instantâneo
terreno
lendário
jogador
feitiço
alvo
ficha
Cards printed after 2015 will have the identification code PT for PORTUGUESE language (next to the expansion code).

To identify old cards, you can use the copyright line: ©{Year} Wizards of the Coast, Inc. Todos os direitos reservados.
Keywords to recognize Magic cards: The Gathering in FRENCH
ARTEFACT
CARD
CREATURE
DAMAGE
ENCHANTMENT
INSTANT
LAND
LEGENDARY
PLAYER
SORCERY
TARGET
TOKEN
artefact
carte
créature
blessures
enchantement
éphémère
terrain
légendaire
joueur
rituel
cible
jetons
Cards printed after 2015 will have the identification code FR for FRENCH language (next to the expansion code).

To identify old cards, you can use the copyright line:
©{Year} Wizards of the Coast, Inc. Tous droits réservés.
Keywords to recognize Magic cards: The Gathering in GERMAN
ARTEFACT
CARD
CREATURE
DAMAGE
ENCHANTMENT
INSTANT
LAND
LEGENDARY
PLAYER
SORCERY
TARGET
TOKEN
artefakt
karte
kreatur
schaden
verzauberung
sontanzauber
land
legendär
Spieler
Hexerei
deiner wahl
spielstein
Cards printed after 2015 will have the identification code DE for GERMAN language (next to the expansion code).

To identify old cards, you can use the copyright line:
©{Year} Wizards of the Coast, Inc. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.
Keywords to recognize Magic cards: The Gathering in RUSSIAN
ARTEFACT
CARD
CREATURE
DAMAGE
ENCHANTMENT
INSTANT
LAND
LEGENDARY
PLAYER
SORCERY
TARGET
TOKEN
Артефакт
Карта
Существо
Урон
Чары
Мгновенное заклинание
Земля
Легендарный
Игрок
Волшебство
Цель
Жетон
Cards printed after 2015 will have the identification code RU for RUSSIAN language (next to the expansion code).
Keywords to recognize Magic cards: The Gathering in JAPANESE
ARTEFACT
CARD
CREATURE
DAMAGE
ENCHANTMENT
INSTANT
LAND
LEGENDARY
PLAYER
SORCERY
TARGET
TOKEN
アーティファクト
カード
クリーチャー
ダメージ
エンチャント
インスタント
土地
伝説の
プレイヤー
ソーサリー
ターゲット
トークン
Cards printed after 2015 will have the identification code JP for JAPANESE language (next to the expansion code).

‍On new cards the kanji may sometimes be accompanied by help text in hiragana (furigana), above the card name in small print.
Keywords to recognize Magic cards: The Gathering in TRADIZIONAL CHINESE
ARTEFACT
CARD
CREATURE
DAMAGE
ENCHANTMENT
INSTANT
LAND
LEGENDARY
PLAYER
SORCERY
TARGET
TOKEN
神器
卡牌
生物
傷害
結界
瞬間
土地
傳奇
玩家
巫術
目標
記號物
Cards printed after 2015 will have the identification code CT for TRADITIONAL CHINESE language (next to the expansion code).

⚠️
BE CAREFUL NOT TO CONFUSE TRADITIONAL CHINESE AND SIMPLIFIED CHINESE!

To more easily distinguish Simplified Chinese from Traditional Chinese, we recommend checking the punctuation that you will find at the end of each sentence.

• TRADIZIONAL (ZHT) has the dot "o" aligned in the middle of the text

• SIMPLIFIED (ZHC) has the dot "o" aligned in the bottom of the text

For older sets, we provide a detailed guide on how to tell Traditional Chinese from Simplified Chinese.

Setname: "
PORTAL" (1997)
Traditional and Simplified both exist.


• SIMPLIFIED (ZHC) has expansion symbols that are color coded for rarity. (In the following picture, Simplified is on the right and has a silver expansion symbol because the card is an uncommon.)

• SIMPLIFIED (ZHC) has a darker (almost bold) card name and flavor text.

• SIMPLIFIED (ZHC) has a smaller circe "o" dot (allined in the middle like Traditional Chinese only in old sets)

Setname: "
FIFTH EDITION" (1997/1998)
Traditional and Simplified both exist.


• TRADITIONAL (ZHT) has 1997 copyright

• SIMPLIFIED (ZHC) has expansion symbol and 1998 copyright

Setname: "
URZA'S SAGA" (1998/1999)
Traditional and Simplified both exist.


• TRADITIONAL (ZHT) has 1998 copyright and darker (almost bold) rules text.

• SIMPLIFIED (ZHC) has 1999 copyright and darker (almost bold) flavor text.

Setname: "
SIXTH EDITION" (1999/2000)
Traditional and Simplified both exist.


• TRADITIONAL (ZHT) has 1999 copyright

• SIMPLIFIED (ZHC) has 2000 copyright

Setname: "
PORTAL THREE KINGDOMS" (1999)
Traditional and Simplified both exist.


• TRADITIONAL (ZHT) has a darker (almost bold) rules text

• SIMPLIFIED (ZHC) has a darker (almost bold) flavor text.

Setname: "
Invasion" (2000)
Traditional and Simplified both exist.


• TRADITIONAL (ZHT) The rules text font more square and blocky with uniform line width.

• SIMPLIFIED (ZHC) The rules text font is like painted with a brush, with the strokes having a varying width.
Keywords to recognize Magic cards: The Gathering in SIMPLIFIED CHINESE
ARTEFACT
CARD
CREATURE
DAMAGE
ENCHANTMENT
INSTANT
LAND
LEGENDARY
PLAYER
SORCERY
TARGET
TOKEN
神器
卡牌
生物
傷害
結界
瞬間
土地
傳奇
玩家
巫術
目標
記號物
Cards printed after 2015 will have the identification code CS for SIMPLIFIED CHINESE language (next to the expansion code).

⚠️
BE CAREFUL NOT TO CONFUSE TRADITIONAL CHINESE AND SIMPLIFIED CHINESE!

To more easily distinguish Simplified Chinese from Traditional Chinese, we recommend checking the punctuation that you will find at the end of each sentence.

• TRADIZIONAL (ZHT) has the dot "o" aligned in the middle of the text

• SIMPLIFIED (ZHC) has the dot "o" aligned in the bottom of the text

For older sets, we provide a detailed guide on how to tell Traditional Chinese from Simplified Chinese.

Setname: "
PORTAL" (1997)
Traditional and Simplified both exist.


• SIMPLIFIED (ZHC) has expansion symbols that are color coded for rarity. (In the following picture, Simplified is on the right and has a silver expansion symbol because the card is an uncommon.)

• SIMPLIFIED (ZHC) has a darker (almost bold) card name and flavor text.

• SIMPLIFIED (ZHC) has a smaller circe "o" dot (allined in the middle like Traditional Chinese only in old sets)

Setname: "
FIFTH EDITION" (1997/1998)
Traditional and Simplified both exist.


• TRADITIONAL (ZHT) has 1997 copyright

• SIMPLIFIED (ZHC) has expansion symbol and 1998 copyright

Setname: "
URZA'S SAGA" (1998/1999)
Traditional and Simplified both exist.


• TRADITIONAL (ZHT) has 1998 copyright and darker (almost bold) rules text.

• SIMPLIFIED (ZHC) has 1999 copyright and darker (almost bold) flavor text.

Setname: "
SIXTH EDITION" (1999/2000)
Traditional and Simplified both exist.


• TRADITIONAL (ZHT) has 1999 copyright

• SIMPLIFIED (ZHC) has 2000 copyright

Setname: "
PORTAL THREE KINGDOMS" (1999)
Traditional and Simplified both exist.


• TRADITIONAL (ZHT) has a darker (almost bold) rules text

• SIMPLIFIED (ZHC) has a darker (almost bold) flavor text.

Setname: "
Invasion" (2000)
Traditional and Simplified both exist.


• TRADITIONAL (ZHT) The rules text font more square and blocky with uniform line width.

• SIMPLIFIED (ZHC) The rules text font is like painted with a brush, with the strokes having a varying width.
Keywords to recognize Magic cards: The Gathering in KOREAN
ARTEFACT
CARD
CREATURE
DAMAGE
ENCHANTMENT
INSTANT
LAND
LEGENDARY
PLAYER
SORCERY
TARGET
TOKEN
아티팩트
카드
생물
피해
마법부여
순간
지형
전설적
플레이어
비술
대상
토큰
Cards printed after 2015 will have the identification code KR for KOREAN language (next to the expansion code).

Korean is distinguishable from other Asian languages ​​by much simpler and smaller characters.

Regional Card Legality

Magic: The Gathering cards were originally printed in English only. The Legends expansion marked the first internationalized printing of a Magic set, in Italian. Further languages were added over the years until the current set of languages was reached: English, Chinese Simplified, Chinese Traditional, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (mostly for the Brazilian market), Russian, and Spanish.

Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG cards printed in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish and Portuguese can be played in any TCG territory. Cards printed in Japanese, Korean, Chinese or “Asian English” (ie: Yu-Gi-Oh! OCG cards) can only be played in Asian territories and are not legal for use in Yu-Gi-Oh! TCG events.

Pokémon cards are released in English and/or Japanese. German, French, and Italian are pretty common as well for almost all sets, and Spanish (both from Spain and Latin America) for most of the earliest and newest sets (not so much for the EX era). The earlier Portuguese cards were from Portugal; the newer Portuguese cards are from Brazil. Korean usually has some odd sets which are either the same as the Japanese, or a mix of multiple sets, and quite a few promos. Chinese only has two sets: Base and EX Legend Maker; as well as from a Jungle Pikachu from the Pikachu World Collection 2000 set, some POP4 promos and the EX Legend Maker Plusle and Minun Deck. Dutch has Base, Jungle and Fossil; as well as a few WotC promos. Polish only has two sets: Diamond & Pearl and Mysterious Treasures, as well as a Pikachu from the Pikachu World Collection 2010 set. And Russian started releasing sets since XY (although it skipped some, like XY Generations and Evolutions; they will soon release some SM Decks and sets though).

Digimon Card Game cards are printed in two languages: Japanese and English.
Cards printed in English can only be played in some countries or areas ( North America, Latin America, Europe, Oceania ). Cards printed in Japanese can only be played in Asian countries or areas ( Japan, Hongkong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand ).
Countries or areas which can use English cards・North America・Latin America・Europe・Oceania

Flesh and Blood cards were initially only printed in English. The European languages ​​have been introduced from the History Pack 1 set: German, Italian, Spanish, French.

FoW TCG cards printed in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish are legal for play in Sanctioned tournaments within all territories. Cards printed in non-Japanese Asian language are legal for play in sanctioned events everywhere with the exception of European countries. Cards printed in Japanese language are legal for play in sanctioned events everywhere. World Grand Prix, Open and Masters are an exception and all FoW TCG cards are legal regardless their language in these tournaments.
If you live in NA any foreign language cards are legal. EU can't use non-Japanese Asian.

One Piece Card Game cards are printed in three languages: Japanese, Simplified Chinese and English.
Cards printed in English can only be played in some countries or areas ( North America, Latin America, Europe, Oceania ). Cards printed in Japanese and Simplified Chinese can only be played in Asian countries or areas ( Japan, Hongkong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand ).
Countries or areas which can use English cards・North America・Latin America・Europe・Oceania
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