kaart

Kaart is a Dutch noun with several related meanings. It most commonly denotes a map or chart used for navigation or planning. The word also refers to a flat object that carries data or value, such as a bank card, a SIM card, or an identity card. In dining contexts, kaart can mean a restaurant menu, as in menukaart.

Etymology: The term derives from Latin carta via Old French carte, originally meaning paper or a sheet, later extending to maps and cards.

In geography and cartography, een kaart is a graphical representation of space used for road planning, travel planning, and statistical maps. Common types include wereldkaart (world map), landkaart (country map), and topografische kaart (topographic map).

In card and device meanings, the card sense appears in many everyday compounds such as bankkaart (bank card), pinkaart (debit card), and SIM-kaart (SIM card). The kaart sense also covers greeting cards or birthday cards (verjaardagskaart) as well as cards used for tickets or passes.

In technology and culture, kaarten appear in computing contexts such as geluidskaart (sound card) and netwerkkaart (network card), though Dutch speakers often use English loanwords in some technical terms. The concept of a kaart also appears in expressions like à la carte to indicate items chosen individually from a menu.