Inklingo

How to Say "charge" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “charge” is “cargo” — use this word for a financial cost or fee added to a bill, or for a formal accusation in a legal context, especially when it involves responsibility.

English → Spanish

cargo

KAR-goˈkaɾɣo

nounB2general
Use this word for a financial cost or fee added to a bill, or for a formal accusation in a legal context, especially when it involves responsibility.
A close-up view of a hand placing a single, shiny gold coin onto a small pile of paper bills, symbolizing an additional financial charge.

Examples

El hotel aplicó un cargo adicional por el servicio de habitación.

The hotel applied an additional charge for room service.

El fiscal presentó tres cargos contra el acusado.

The prosecutor filed three charges against the defendant.

¿Quién está a cargo de este proyecto?

Who is in charge of this project?

The Useful Phrase 'a cargo de'

This phrase is a super common way to say who is responsible for something. It's followed by the person or group in charge. Example: 'La organización del evento está a cargo de María.' (María is in charge of organizing the event.)

acusación

nounB1formal
This is the best translation when referring to a formal statement or claim that someone has done something wrong, particularly in a legal or official setting.

Examples

El director negó rotundamente la acusación de fraude.

The director flatly denied the accusation of fraud.

cobre

KOH-brehˈkoβɾe

verbB1informal
Use this verb when you are asking someone to pay for a service or goods, essentially instructing them to charge you.
A hand passing a gold coin to another hand to pay for a service.

Examples

Cobre, por favor.

Charge me, please (used in a restaurant).

Cuando yo cobre el sueldo, te pagaré lo que te debo.

When I get paid my salary, I'll pay you what I owe you.

Espero que no nos cobre mucho el mecánico.

I hope the mechanic doesn't charge us much.

When to use 'cobre'

This specific form is used for wishes, polite requests, or when talking about things that might happen in the future (like 'When I get paid').

Paid vs. Getting Paid

Mistake: “Using 'pagar' when you mean 'cobrar'.”

Correction: In Spanish, the person who gives money 'paga', and the person who gets it 'cobra'.

querella

keh-REH-yahkeˈɾeʝa

nounB2legal
This term specifically refers to a formal criminal accusation or complaint filed with a court.
A formal document with a red wax seal lying on a dark wooden table in a courtroom.

Examples

El abogado presentó una querella criminal contra la empresa.

The lawyer filed a formal criminal complaint against the company.

La querella fue admitida a trámite por el juez.

The formal complaint was accepted for processing by the judge.

Decidieron retirar la querella tras llegar a un acuerdo.

They decided to withdraw the lawsuit after reaching an agreement.

Always Feminine

Even though it ends in 'a', it's worth remembering that 'querella' is always a feminine noun. You must use feminine adjectives with it, like 'una querella formal'.

Action Verbs with Querella

In Spanish, you don't 'make' a querella; you 'present' (presentar) or 'place' (interponer) it. Think of it as officially handing over a document to the court.

Querella vs. Queja

Mistake: “Usar 'querella' para quejarse de la comida en un restaurante.”

Correction: Use 'queja' or 'reclamación' for everyday complaints. Use 'querella' only when a judge and lawyers are involved.

Legal Accusations vs. Financial Costs

Learners often confuse 'acusación' and 'cargo' when referring to accusations. While both can mean accusation, 'acusación' is more general for a claim of wrongdoing, whereas 'cargo' often implies a more formal, official charge or responsibility, especially in legal contexts or when referring to a financial fee.

Related Translations

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