Inklingo
← Dictionary

descargar

dehs-kar-GAHR/deskaɾˈɣaɾ/

to download

Also: to save
VerbA2regular with spelling change ar
A blue arrow pointing down onto a silver laptop computer.
gerunddescargando
past Participledescargado
infinitivedescargar

📝 In Action

Tengo que descargar la aplicación para pedir comida.

A2

I have to download the app to order food.

No puedo abrir el archivo porque no se descargó bien.

B1

I can't open the file because it didn't download properly.

Haz clic aquí para descargar el PDF.

A2

Click here to download the PDF.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • bajar (to lower / to download)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • descargar un archivo – to download a file
  • descargar música – to download music

to unload

Also: to empty
VerbB1regular with spelling change ar
A person carrying a heavy brown box off the back of a wooden truck.

📝 In Action

Los trabajadores están descargando el camión de mudanza.

B1

The workers are unloading the moving truck.

Ayúdame a descargar las bolsas del coche.

A2

Help me unload the bags from the car.

El barco descargó toda la mercancía en el puerto.

B2

The ship unloaded all the goods at the port.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • descargar el equipaje – to unload the luggage

to run out of battery

Also: to discharge
VerbB1reflexive usage common ar
A smartphone screen showing a red empty battery symbol.

📝 In Action

Se me descargó el celular y no tengo cargador.

B1

My phone died (ran out of battery) and I don't have a charger.

La batería se descarga muy rápido si usas el GPS.

B1

The battery drains very fast if you use the GPS.

No dejes que el portátil se descargue por completo.

B2

Don't let the laptop run out of battery completely.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • agotarse (to run out / to exhaust)

Antonyms

to vent

Also: to release
VerbB2regular with spelling change ar
A person shouting into a pillow to release frustration.

📝 In Action

Necesitaba descargar mi frustración con alguien.

B2

I needed to vent my frustration to someone.

Llorar es una buena forma de descargar la tensión.

B2

Crying is a good way to release tension.

No descargues tu rabia conmigo, yo no hice nada.

C1

Don't take your anger out on me, I didn't do anything.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • desahogarse (to vent / to pour one's heart out)
  • liberar (to release)

Common Collocations

  • descargar la ira – to vent anger
  • descargar la conciencia – to clear one's conscience

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesdescargaran
yodescargara
túdescargaras
vosotrosdescargarais
nosotrosdescargáramos
él/ella/usteddescargara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesdescarguen
yodescargue
túdescargues
vosotrosdescarguéis
nosotrosdescarguemos
él/ella/usteddescargue

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesdescargaron
yodescargué
túdescargaste
vosotrosdescargasteis
nosotrosdescargamos
él/ella/usteddescargó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesdescargaban
yodescargaba
túdescargabas
vosotrosdescargabais
nosotrosdescargábamos
él/ella/usteddescargaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesdescargan
yodescargo
túdescargas
vosotrosdescargáis
nosotrosdescargamos
él/ella/usteddescarga
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "descargar" in Spanish:

to vent→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: descargar

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'I downloaded the photo' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
la descarga(download / discharge) — Noun
el cargador(charger) — Noun
descargado(downloaded / out of battery) — Adjective
cargar(to load / to charge) — Verb
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the prefix 'des-' (meaning to undo or remove) and 'cargar' (to load), which comes from the Late Latin 'carricare' (to load a wagon).

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: dischargeFrench: décharger

💡 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 'descargar' used for uploading too?

No, 'descargar' specifically means taking something DOWN from the internet or unloading it. To upload, you should use 'subir' or 'cargar'.

What is the difference between 'descargar' and 'desahogar'?

'Descargar' can mean venting anger or tension. 'Desahogar' is more about talking through your feelings or crying to feel better. They are similar but 'desahogar' is more personal and emotional.

Why do I see 'descargarse' with an 'se' at the end?

The 'se' is added when the action happens to the object itself, like a battery draining (se descarga) or when you are venting yourself (desahogarse/descargarse).