Inklingo
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carga

/KAR-gah/

load

A strong, brown donkey is struggling slightly while carrying a huge, overflowing stack of colorful wooden crates tied securely to its back, illustrating a heavy physical load.

Carga as a physical load or weight carried.

carga(noun)

fA2

load

?

physical weight carried

,

cargo

?

freight or goods transported

Also:

shipment

?

commercial goods

📝 In Action

La grúa levantó una carga de diez toneladas.

A2

The crane lifted a ten-ton load.

El avión llegó con una carga de alimentos frescos.

B1

The plane arrived with a cargo of fresh food.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • peso (weight)
  • bulto (package)

Common Collocations

  • carga pesada – heavy load
  • descargar la carga – to unload the cargo

💡 Grammar Points

Always Feminine

Remember that 'carga' is always feminine, so you must use 'la carga' or 'una carga'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Freight vs. Luggage

While it can mean 'load,' it usually refers to commercial or heavy freight. For personal luggage or bags, use 'equipaje' or 'maletas'.

A stylized, bright green battery shape is actively receiving glowing yellow lightning bolts connecting it to a simple wall socket, indicating it is charging.

Carga as an electrical charge or battery level.

carga(noun)

fB1

charge

?

electrical charge; battery level

Also:

ammo

?

ammunition/load for a weapon

📝 In Action

Mi móvil solo tiene un 10% de carga.

B1

My cell phone only has a 10% charge.

Pon el coche eléctrico a cargar, que necesita la carga completa.

B2

Plug the electric car in to charge, it needs a full charge.

Word Connections

Antonyms

  • descarga (discharge)

Common Collocations

  • carga rápida – fast charge
  • sin carga – out of charge

❌ Common Pitfalls

Don't confuse 'charge' (electricity) and 'charge' (payment)

Mistake: "Using 'carga' for a financial charge."

Correction: For a payment charge, use 'cobro' or 'tarifa'. 'Carga' is almost always physical or electrical energy.

⭐ Usage Tips

Common Verb Partner

To say a battery is charging, use the verb form 'cargar' (e.g., Estoy cargando la batería). To talk about the state of the battery, use the noun 'carga' (e.g., La carga está completa).

A small, simple character is hunched over, struggling under the weight of a massive, rough, gray stone block strapped to their shoulders, symbolizing a heavy responsibility or burden.

Carga meaning a heavy burden or responsibility.

carga(noun)

fB2

burden

?

heavy responsibility or duty

,

strain

?

emotional or mental weight

Also:

responsibility

?

duty or obligation

📝 In Action

La carga de trabajo es insoportable este mes.

B2

The workload (burden) is unbearable this month.

Ella sintió una gran carga de culpa después del accidente.

C1

She felt a great burden of guilt after the accident.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • responsabilidad (responsibility)
  • obligación (obligation)

Antonyms

  • alivio (relief)

Common Collocations

  • carga mental – mental load
  • carga impositiva – tax burden

⭐ Usage Tips

Context is Key

When used figuratively, 'carga' often implies something heavy and unwelcome. It is synonymous with 'peso' (weight) in a non-literal sense.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: carga

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'carga' to describe an emotional burden?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

cargar(to load, to charge, to carry) - verb
cargador(charger (device)) - noun
descarga(unload, download, discharge) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the noun 'carga' different from the verb 'cargar'?

'Carga' (the noun) is a thing—the load, the cargo, or the amount of electricity. 'Cargar' (the verb) is the action—to load a truck, to charge a phone, or to carry a responsibility.

Does 'carga' mean 'charge' in the financial sense (like a credit card charge)?

No. In Spanish, 'carga' is almost never used for a financial fee or charge. For that, you should use words like 'cargo' (a fee) or 'cobro' (a payment).