Inklingo
← Dictionary

encargar

en-kar-GAR/eŋ.kaɾˈɣaɾ/

“encargar” means “to order” in Spanish (requesting something to be made or delivered).

to order, to entrust

Also: to put in charge, to ask
VerbB1regular ar
MexicoArgentina
A friendly baker in a white apron handing a freshly baked box of pastries to a waiting customer.
infinitiveencargar
gerundencargando
past Participleencargado

📝 In Action

Encargué una pizza para la cena.

A2

I ordered a pizza for dinner.

Le encargué el proyecto a María.

B1

I put Mary in charge of the project.

Te encargo que compres leche al volver.

B1

I'm asking you to buy milk on your way back.

Voy a encargar un nuevo sofá.

A2

I'm going to order a new sofa.

El jefe me encargó preparar la presentación.

B1

The boss asked me to prepare the presentation.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • encargar algo a/en una tienda – to order something from a store
  • encargar a alguien una tarea – to assign someone a task
  • encargar un trabajo – to commission a piece of work

Idioms & Expressions

  • encargarse de – to take responsibility for something and make sure it gets done
  • ¡Encárgate de eso! – A command telling someone to deal with a situation

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedencarga
nosotrosencargamos
yoencargo
vosotrosencargáis
túencargas
ellos/ellas/ustedesencargan

imperfect

él/ella/ustedencargaba
nosotrosencargábamos
yoencargaba
vosotrosencargabais
túencargabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesencargaban

preterite

él/ella/ustedencargó
nosotrosencargamos
yoencargué
vosotrosencargasteis
túencargaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesencargaron

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedencargue
nosotrosencarguemos
yoencargue
vosotrosencarguéis
túencargues
ellos/ellas/ustedesencarguen

imperfect

él/ella/ustedencargara
nosotrosencargáramos
yoencargara
vosotrosencargarais
túencargaras
ellos/ellas/ustedesencargaran
View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: encargar

Question 1 of 3

Which sentence correctly uses 'encargar' to mean 'to assign a task to someone'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
el encargo(the order, the commission, the task) — Noun
encargado(in charge, person in charge) — Adjective / Noun
encargarse(to take care of, to handle) — Verb
encargamiento(the act of ordering/commissioning) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From Latin 'incaricare', meaning 'to load' or 'to burden'. The word comes from 'in-' (in/on) + 'caricare' (to load, from 'caricus' meaning 'load'). The original meaning was literally 'to put a burden on someone' - which evolved into the modern meanings of assigning responsibility or ordering something (putting a 'burden' of work on someone).

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: encarregarItalian: incaricareFrench: charger

💡 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

What's the difference between 'encargar' and 'pedir'?

Both can mean 'to ask for', but 'encargar' is more specific. Use 'encargar' when you're placing an order (especially something to be made or delivered) or formally assigning a task. 'Pedir' is more general - you can 'pedir' information, permission, or help. In everyday conversation, 'pedir' is more common for simple requests.

How do I use the reflexive form 'encargarse'?

'Encargarse de' means 'to take care of' or 'to handle'. It has two main uses: (1) Taking responsibility: 'Yo me encargo de la limpieza' (I'll take care of the cleaning). (2) Dealing with a situation: 'El mecánico se encarga' (The mechanic will handle it). It's one of the most useful Spanish expressions for everyday life!

Is 'encargar' formal or informal?

'Encargar' is neutral - it can be used in both formal and informal situations. However, in very casual conversation, people often use simpler alternatives like 'pedir' or 'decir' to express similar ideas.