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How to Say "charging" in Spanish

English → Spanish

cargando

kahr-GAHN-dohkaɾˈɣan.do

verbA1
Use 'cargando' when referring to a device, battery, or electrical item that is receiving power.
A bright red smartphone is plugged into a wall outlet via a white cord. A green lightning bolt icon appears on the screen, indicating it is charging.

Examples

Mi teléfono está cargando. No lo desconectes.

My phone is charging. Don't unplug it.

¿Puedes revisar si la batería sigue cargando?

Can you check if the battery is still charging?

Forming Continuous Actions

'Cargando' is the gerund form. You use it with the verb 'estar' (to be) to describe an action happening right now: 'estoy cargando' (I am charging).

Spelling Change in Past Tense

Mistake: “Using 'yo cargé' in the past tense.”

Correction: The correct form is 'yo cargué'. Since 'cargar' ends in -gar, we add a 'u' before the 'e' to keep the hard 'g' sound.

atacando

ah-tah-kahn-dohataˈkando

verbA2
Use 'atacando' when describing an action of moving forward to attack, often in a military or sports context.
A small, colorful dragon breathing a tiny puff of fire toward a stone castle tower.

Examples

El equipo está atacando con mucha fuerza hoy.

The team is attacking with a lot of strength today.

Están atacando el problema desde la raíz.

They are tackling the problem from its roots.

Me sentí mal porque me estaba atacando sin razón.

I felt bad because he was attacking (criticizing) me for no reason.

The Ongoing '-ing' Form

Words ending in -ando are like English '-ing' words. Use them with the verb 'estar' (to be) to show an action happening right this second.

The Spelling Change

While 'atacando' is regular, the base verb changes its 'c' to 'qu' in some forms (like 'ataqué') to keep the hard 'k' sound.

Don't forget the helping verb

Mistake: “Yo atacando el problema.”

Correction: Estoy atacando el problema. You almost always need a form of 'estar' (to be) before 'atacando' if you are describing what is happening.

cobro

KOH-brohˈko.βɾo

nounA2
Use 'cobro' when referring to the act or process of collecting payment or asking for a price.
A hand receiving a stack of gold coins from another person.

Examples

El cobro del alquiler se realiza el primer día del mes.

The rent collection takes place on the first day of the month.

Se aceptan diferentes medios de cobro, como tarjeta o efectivo.

Different methods of payment are accepted, such as card or cash.

Hubo un error en el cobro de mi factura telefónica.

There was an error in the charging of my phone bill.

Cobro vs. Pago

In Spanish, 'cobro' is from the perspective of the person receiving the money. If you are the one giving the money, you use 'pago'.

Using 'cobro' for 'check'

Mistake: “Tengo un cobro para el banco.”

Correction: Tengo un cheque para cobrar.

Confusing 'cargando' with 'atacando'

The most common mistake is using 'cargando' when you mean 'attacking'. Remember that 'cargando' is for batteries and devices, while 'atacando' is for offensive actions. Don't tell someone your phone is 'atacando'!

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