acarrear

ah-kah-rreh-ahraka.reˈaɾ

“acarrear” means “to cause” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to causeB1Verb

negative consequences or results

Learn more →

to haulB2Verb

transporting heavy goods

Learn more →

to causeAlso: to lead to, to entail

VerbB1regular ar

A row of falling wooden blocks representing a chain reaction of negative events.

gerundacarreando

past Participleacarreado

infinitiveacarrear

📝 In Action

Fumar puede acarrear graves problemas de salud.

Smoking can cause serious health problems.

Esta decisión va a acarrear muchos gastos extras.

This decision is going to lead to many extra expenses.

Mentir siempre acarrea consecuencias negativas.

Lying always entails negative consequences.

Word Connections

Synonyms

provocar (to provoke/cause)
ocasionar (to cause/occasion)

Antonyms

evitar (to avoid)
prevenir (to prevent)

Common Collocations

acarrear problemas – to cause problems
acarrear riesgos – to carry risks

to haulAlso: to transport, to carry

VerbB2regular ar

A sturdy wooden cart overflowing with heavy sacks of grain.

gerundacarreando

past Participleacarreado

infinitiveacarrear

📝 In Action

Los camiones pasan el día acarreando arena a la obra.

The trucks spend the day hauling sand to the construction site.

Antiguamente, tenían que acarrear el agua desde el pozo.

In the old days, they had to haul the water from the well.

Necesitamos a alguien para acarrear estos bultos.

We need someone to carry these bundles.

Word Connections

Synonyms

transportar (to transport)
trasladar (to move/transfer)

Antonyms

dejar (to leave)

Common Collocations

acarrear materiales – to haul materials
acarrear leña – to haul firewood

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoacarreara

túacarrearas

él/ella/ustedacarreara

nosotrosacarreáramos

vosotrosacarrearais

ellos/ellas/ustedesacarrearan

Present Subjunctive

yoacarree

túacarrees

él/ella/ustedacarree

nosotrosacarreemos

vosotrosacarreéis

ellos/ellas/ustedesacarreen

Indicative

Preterite

yoacarreé

túacarreaste

él/ella/ustedacarreó

nosotrosacarreamos

vosotrosacarreasteis

ellos/ellas/ustedesacarrearon

Imperfect

yoacarreaba

túacarreabas

él/ella/ustedacarreaba

nosotrosacarreábamos

vosotrosacarreabais

ellos/ellas/ustedesacarreaban

Present

yoacarreo

túacarreas

él/ella/ustedacarrea

nosotrosacarreamos

vosotrosacarreáis

ellos/ellas/ustedesacarrean

View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "acarrear" in Spanish:

to carry to cause to entail to haul to transport

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: acarrear

Question 1 of 3

Which of these is a typical object for 'acarrear' in its figurative sense?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family

acarreo(the act of hauling / transport) — Noun

acarreador(hauler / carrier) — Noun

🎵 Rhymes

emplear desear

📚 Etymology

From the Spanish word 'carro' (cart/carriage), originally from Latin 'carrus.' It suggests the action of moving things in a cart.

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: charrier

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'acarrear' the same as 'llevar'?

They both mean 'to carry,' but 'acarrear' implies a heavy load, multiple trips, or resulting in negative consequences. 'Llevar' is much more general.

Can I 'acarrear' a person?

Usually, no. It is for materials or abstract consequences. If you carry a person, use 'llevar' or 'cargar'.

Is 'acarrear' common in daily conversation?

Its literal meaning (hauling) is common in rural/industrial areas. Its figurative meaning (causing problems) is common in news, health advice, and formal discussions.