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recargar

re-kar-GAR/rekaɾˈɡaɾ/

“recargar” means “to recharge” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

to recharge, to top up

Also: to reload
VerbA2regular with spelling change ar
Latin America
A colorful smartphone on a wooden table connected to a bright green charging cable with a glowing battery icon on the screen.
gerundrecargando
past Participlerecargado
infinitiverecargar

📝 In Action

Necesito recargar mi teléfono móvil.

A1

I need to recharge my cell phone.

Voy a la tienda para recargar mi tarjeta del autobús.

A2

I'm going to the store to top up my bus card.

Después de una semana dura, necesito dormir para recargar las pilas.

B1

After a hard week, I need to sleep to recharge my batteries (get my energy back).

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • cargar (to charge)
  • abonar (to pay/add credit)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • recargar el móvil – to charge the phone
  • recargar saldo – to top up credit
  • recargar las pilas – to recharge one's batteries (idiomatic)

Idioms & Expressions

  • recargar las pilas – To get your energy back after being tired

to overload, to over-decorate

Also: to overcharge
VerbB2regular with spelling change ar
A small wooden cart overflowing with a massive, unstable mountain of heavy boxes and crates.
gerundrecargando
past Participlerecargado
infinitiverecargar

📝 In Action

No debes recargar la estantería con tantos libros.

B1

You shouldn't overload the shelf with so many books.

El diseñador no quiso recargar la habitación con demasiados muebles.

B2

The designer didn't want to over-decorate the room with too much furniture.

Me van a recargar con más tareas este mes.

C1

They are going to overburden me with more tasks this month.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • sobrecargar (to overload)
  • saturar (to saturate)

Antonyms

  • aligerar (to lighten)
  • simplificar (to simplify)

Common Collocations

  • estilo recargado – overly ornate/busy style
  • recargar el ambiente – to make the atmosphere heavy or tense

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecargaran
yorecargara
túrecargaras
vosotrosrecargarais
nosotrosrecargáramos
él/ella/ustedrecargara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecarguen
yorecargue
túrecargues
vosotrosrecarguéis
nosotrosrecarguemos
él/ella/ustedrecargue

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecargaron
yorecargué
túrecargaste
vosotrosrecargasteis
nosotrosrecargamos
él/ella/ustedrecargó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecargaban
yorecargaba
túrecargabas
vosotrosrecargabais
nosotrosrecargábamos
él/ella/ustedrecargaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesrecargan
yorecargo
túrecargas
vosotrosrecargáis
nosotrosrecargamos
él/ella/ustedrecarga
View All Tenses & Moods →

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✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: recargar

Question 1 of 3

Which of these would you 'recargar'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the prefix 're-' (meaning 'again' or 'extra') and the Spanish verb 'cargar' (to load), which comes from Late Latin 'carricare' (to load a wagon).

First recorded: 13th Century

Cognates (Related words)

English: rechargeFrench: recharger

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'recargar' for downloading a file?

No, for downloading a file you should use 'descargar'. 'Recargar' is for putting something (like energy or money) back in.

Is 'recargar' used for weapons?

Yes, just like in English 'to reload a gun,' in Spanish you use 'recargar un arma'.

What is the difference between 'cargar' and 'recargar'?

'Cargar' is the general act of loading or charging. 'Recargar' emphasizes doing it again because the supply has run out.