descarga
/des-KAR-gah/
download
A digital file download in progress.
📝 In Action
La descarga de la película terminó en cinco minutos.
A2The movie download finished in five minutes.
Haz clic aquí para iniciar la descarga.
A1Click here to start the download.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Feminine
This word is always feminine. Use 'la descarga' or 'una descarga,' even when talking about computers or heavy machinery.
❌ Common Pitfalls
The Noun vs. The Action
Mistake: "Using 'descargar' when you mean 'descarga'."
Correction: Use 'descarga' for the thing itself (the file) and 'descargar' for the act of doing it.
⭐ Usage Tips
Digital Context
In most Spanish-speaking countries, 'descarga' is the standard word for any digital file you get from the internet.
The physical unloading of cargo from a vehicle.
📝 In Action
La zona de descarga está bloqueada por un camión.
B1The unloading zone is blocked by a truck.
Los obreros comenzaron la descarga del cemento.
B1The workers began unloading the cement.
💡 Grammar Points
Compound Nouns
Often paired with 'carga' (loading) to describe logistics areas: 'carga y descarga'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Look for Signs
In Spanish cities, look for 'Carga y Descarga' signs on streets—it means you can't park there because it's for delivery trucks!
An electric shock or discharge.
📝 In Action
Recibió una descarga eléctrica al tocar el cable suelto.
B2He received an electric shock when he touched the loose wire.
Llorar fue una gran descarga emocional para ella.
B2Crying was a great emotional release for her.
The act of someone unloading an item.
descarga(verb)
downloads / unloads
?when he, she, or it does the action
,download! / unload!
?telling someone to do it
📝 In Action
Él descarga la aplicación en su teléfono.
A2He downloads the app on his phone.
¡Descarga ese archivo ahora mismo!
A2Download that file right now!
💡 Grammar Points
The Spelling Change
When the 'g' meets an 'e' (like in 'yo descargué'), we add a 'u' to keep the hard 'g' sound. Without it, the 'g' would sound like an 'h'!
🔄 Conjugations
subjunctive
imperfect
present
indicative
preterite
imperfect
present
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: descarga
Question 1 of 2
If you are at the docks and see workers moving boxes off a ship, what is happening?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'descarga' the same as 'bajada'?
Yes, in many countries 'bajada' is a more informal way to say 'download,' but 'descarga' is the official term you will see on buttons and menus.
Can I use 'descarga' for an 'upload'?
No, that's 'subida' or 'carga.' Think of 'descarga' as taking something down (des-) from the internet to your device.