A heritage gift that gets shuffled, not shelved. Lingo decks are real poker-sized playing cards. Every card carries an everyday word or phrase in another language. English sits upside down underneath, so you can guess first. The pronunciation guide is on the jokers. Nonna, the grandkids and everyone in between can say it out loud while they play the games they already know.
Find the family's language below. Prices live on each product page. Standard decks ship in a tuck box. Where you see a Wayfarer Tin, that is the same deck in a hinged, pocket-sized metal tin.
Italian heritage
For the Nonna who still says it best in Italian, or the grandchild who wants to keep up. Italian Lingo Playing Cards or the Italian Wayfarer Tin.
Irish heritage
Warm, witty Irish slang and sayings for the family that feels the culture in its bones and wants it back at game night. Irish Lingo Playing Cards or the Irish Wayfarer Tin.
Greek heritage
For the Yiayia at the head of the table and the family that gathers around it. Greek Lingo Playing Cards or the Greek Wayfarer Tin.
Spanish, Mexican and Latin American heritage
Everyday Spanish for families with roots in Spain, Mexico or Latin America: Spanish Lingo Playing Cards or the Spanish Wayfarer Tin. For Cuban families, Cuban Lingo Playing Cards.
Portuguese and Brazilian heritage
Portuguese families: Portuguese Lingo Playing Cards. Brazilian roots: Brazilian Lingo Playing Cards or the Brazilian Wayfarer Tin.
French heritage
For Francophile families and those with French or French-Canadian roots. French Lingo Playing Cards or the French Wayfarer Tin.
German heritage
For Oma, Opa and the next generation who want German at the table, not just in the photo album. German Lingo Playing Cards or the German Wayfarer Tin.
Dutch, Danish and Swedish heritage
For Dutch and Scandinavian families: Dutch Lingo Playing Cards, Danish Lingo Playing Cards, and Swedish Lingo Playing Cards or the Swedish Wayfarer Tin.
Jewish and Israeli heritage
Everyday Hebrew for the family table. Hebrew Lingo Playing Cards.
Arab heritage
Everyday Arabic phrases used across the Arab world. Arabic Lingo Playing Cards.
Persian heritage
Warm greetings and hospitality in Farsi. Persian Lingo Playing Cards.
Russian heritage
Everyday Russian for families who grew up with babushka at the table. Russian Lingo Playing Cards.
Japanese heritage
For Japanese-American and Japanese-Canadian families sharing the language across generations. Japanese Lingo Playing Cards or the Japanese Wayfarer Tin.
Korean heritage
Everyday Korean for family game night. Korean Lingo Playing Cards or the Korean Wayfarer Tin.
Chinese heritage
Everyday Mandarin for Lunar New Year, family dinners and keeping the language in play. Mandarin Lingo Playing Cards.
Filipino heritage
Everyday Tagalog for Lola, Lolo and the cousins near and far. Tagalog Lingo Playing Cards.
Indonesian heritage
Everyday Bahasa Indonesia phrases. Indonesian Lingo Playing Cards.
Hawaiian and Jamaican roots
Island expressions for island families: Hawaiian Lingo Playing Cards and Jamaican Lingo Playing Cards.
British, Australian, New Zealand and South African family
For the relatives who left, or the ones who stayed: British Lingo Playing Cards or the British Wayfarer Tin, Aussie Lingo Playing Cards or the Aussie Wayfarer Tin, Kiwi Lingo Playing Cards and South African Lingo Playing Cards.
For the family scholar
For the relative who still drops Latin at dinner: Latin Lingo Playing Cards.
Good to know
- Box or tin: standard decks come in a tuck box. Wayfarer Tin editions come in a hinged metal tin built for travel and keepsake shelves.
- How the cards work: English sits upside down under each phrase. Pronunciation guide is on the jokers.
- Shipping: see our shipping policy.
- Returns: see our refund policy.
FAQ
What is a good gift for an Italian grandmother?
Italian Lingo Playing Cards. A real poker-sized deck Nonna can deal into the games she already knows. Every card teaches an everyday Italian phrase. English sits upside down under each one. Pronunciation lives on the jokers. Grab the Italian deck or the Italian Wayfarer Tin in the guide above.
Do you need to speak the language to play?
No. Play any card game you already know. Guess first, then flip. English is printed upside down under each phrase. The pronunciation guide is on the jokers, so the whole table can say it out loud.
Which languages do Lingo decks come in?
This guide covers Italian, Irish, Greek, Spanish, Cuban, Portuguese, Brazilian, French, German, Dutch, Danish, Swedish, Hebrew, Arabic, Persian, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, Indonesian, Hawaiian, Jamaican, British, Aussie, Kiwi, South African and Latin, with Wayfarer Tins where listed. Find the family's language above.
How do the cards teach phrases?
Every card carries a word or phrase. English sits upside down underneath, so you guess first. Pronunciation is on the jokers. Shuffle. Deal. Learn while you play.
Are Lingo decks real playing cards?
Yes. Poker-sized. Poker, Rummy, Go Fish, the usual table games. The twist is that every card also teaches a phrase. Lingo isn't an app. That's the point.
Where do orders ship from?
From warehouses in the United States and Australia. Current options are on the shipping policy linked above.
Play cards. Pick up a language.