Inklingo

How to Say "charge" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cargo

/KAR-go//ˈkaɾɣo/

nounB2formal
Use 'cargo' when referring to a financial cost, fee, or a formal accusation in a legal or professional context.
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
Use 'acusación' specifically for a formal statement or claim that someone has done something wrong, especially in a legal or public setting.

Examples

El director negó rotundamente la acusación de fraude.

The director flatly denied the accusation of fraud.

cobrar

/KOH-breh//ˈkoβɾe/

verbB1
Use 'cobrar' when you want to express the action of asking for or receiving money for goods or services.
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'.

Noun vs. Verb: 'Cargo'/'Acusación' vs. 'Cobrar'

Learners often confuse the nouns 'cargo' and 'acusación' with the verb 'cobrar'. Remember that 'cargo' and 'acusación' refer to the *thing* being charged (a cost or an accusation), while 'cobrar' is the *action* of charging or receiving payment.

Related Translations

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