cargado
/kar-GAH-doh/
loaded
When someone is 'cargado', they are carrying a heavy load.
cargado(Adjective)
loaded
?carrying a heavy load or contents
,full
?container or vehicle
laden
?formal or literary
,burdened
?person carrying items
📝 In Action
El camión llegó cargado de mercancía fresca.
A1The truck arrived loaded with fresh merchandise.
Después de ir de compras, venía cargada con diez bolsas.
A2After going shopping, she came carrying ten bags.
💡 Grammar Points
Agreement is Key
As an adjective, 'cargado' must match the thing it describes. If you are talking about 'la maleta' (the suitcase), you must say 'la maleta cargada'.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting Gender
Mistake: "La mochila está cargado."
Correction: La mochila está cargada. (Mochila is feminine, so the adjective must end in -a.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Past Participle Origin
Remember this word comes from the verb 'cargar' (to load or carry). It means the action of loading has already happened.
A device that is fully 'cargado' (charged) is ready to use.
📝 In Action
¿Está cargada la batería de la cámara?
A2Is the camera battery charged?
No te preocupes, el móvil está cargado al cien por cien.
B1Don't worry, the cell phone is 100% charged.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Estar'
We almost always use 'estar' (to be, temporary state) with this meaning, because the device is in the temporary state of being charged.
A coffee with a strong flavor is called 'cargado'.
cargado(Adjective)
strong
?flavor or drink, especially coffee
,intense
?color or scent
dark
?coffee or tea
,heavy
?scent or perfume
📝 In Action
Necesito un café bien cargado para empezar el día.
B1I need a really strong coffee to start the day.
El vestido tiene un color rojo muy cargado.
B1The dress has a very intense red color.
⭐ Usage Tips
Flavor Tip
When talking about coffee or tea, 'cargado' specifically means it has a high concentration of coffee or tea leaves, making it very dark and potent.
A tense or heavy atmosphere is described as 'cargado'.
cargado(Adjective)
tense
?atmosphere or situation
,strained
?relationship
burdened
?emotionally stressed
,heavy
?atmosphere
📝 In Action
Había un ambiente cargado de tensión en la sala de reuniones.
B2There was an atmosphere heavy with tension in the meeting room.
Se siente cargado por las responsabilidades de su nuevo puesto.
C1He feels burdened by the responsibilities of his new position.
⭐ Usage Tips
Figurative Extension
Think of this meaning as an extension of Definition 1: the atmosphere or person is 'carrying' an invisible, heavy load of stress or negativity.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cargado
Question 1 of 2
Which meaning of 'cargado' is used in the phrase 'un ambiente cargado'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'cargado' always an adjective?
Yes, in this form, 'cargado' functions as an adjective, describing a noun. However, it is originally the 'past participle' of the verb 'cargar' (to load/to carry). When you use it with 'haber' (e.g., 'ha cargado'), it is part of the verb tense, but when used with 'ser' or 'estar', it acts as an adjective and must agree with the noun.
What is the difference between 'cargado' and 'lleno'?
'Lleno' simply means 'full' (like a cup full of water). 'Cargado' means 'loaded' or 'weighed down' and suggests that something was put *into* or *onto* the object, often implying a heavy or strong presence. For instance, you use 'cargado' for strong coffee, but 'lleno' for a full glass of water.