cartellino

Cartellino is an Italian noun meaning a small card or label used to identify, price, or sanction items. The word comes from cartello, a sign or placard, with the diminutive -ino.

In sports, notably football (soccer), the cartellino refers to the referee's card used to apply sanctions. There are two common colors: yellow card (cartellino giallo) for a caution and red card (cartellino rosso) for ejection. In some contexts, repeated offenses or accumulation of cards can lead to additional suspensions.

In retail and fashion, cartellino denotes a price tag or brand label attached to goods. It may include price, size, care instructions, barcode, and origin; can be made of paper, cardboard, or plastic. The cartellino is often removed after purchase or when the item is displayed.

In museums and collections, a cartellino is a placard or label presenting information about a work, such as title, author, date, medium, and provenance. These labels provide essential context for viewers and are typically placed near the object or on a display case.

In Italian usage, cartellino can also refer to a generic label affixed to objects for inventory or identification. The plural form is cartellini.