Inklingo

How to Say "download" in Spanish

English → Spanish

descarga

/des-KAR-gah//desˈkaɾɣa/

nounA2general
Use 'descarga' when referring to the act or result of downloading as a thing, like 'the download' or 'a download'.
A blue progress bar on a computer screen filling up with a white arrow pointing down.

Examples

La descarga de la película terminó en cinco minutos.

The movie download finished in five minutes.

Haz clic aquí para iniciar la descarga.

Click here to start the download.

Always Feminine

This word is always feminine. Use 'la descarga' or 'una descarga,' even when talking about computers or heavy machinery.

The Noun vs. The Action

Mistake: “Using 'descargar' when you mean 'descarga'.”

Correction: Use 'descarga' for the thing itself (the file) and 'descargar' for the act of doing it.

baje

/BAH-heh//ˈba.xe/

verbB1general
Use 'baje' when you need to tell one person (informal 'tú' or formal 'usted') to download something, often in a command or request context (subjunctive).
A simplified cloud icon floating above a flat desktop monitor icon, with a thick, curved downward arrow indicating transfer between them.

Examples

El sistema requiere que baje la última actualización.

The system requires that you download the latest update. (Subjunctive)

Baje este documento antes de la reunión.

Download this document before the meeting. (Formal command)

Digital Context

While 'descargar' (to unload/download) is also correct, 'bajar' is often the most common and informal way to say 'to download' in Spanish.

bajen

/BAH-hen//ˈba.xen/

verbB2general
Use 'bajen' when you need to tell multiple people (plural 'ustedes' or formal plural 'vosotros' in Spain) to download something, typically in a command or request (subjunctive).
Blue, flowing streams of energy, representing data, moving directly downwards from a fluffy white cloud towards a simple, stylized desktop computer.

Examples

Necesito que ellos bajen el archivo antes de la reunión.

I need them to download the file before the meeting. (Subjunctive use after 'necesito que')

Por favor, bajen la aplicación y regístrense. (Ustedes, formal command)

Please, download the application and register.

Technology Usage

In many Spanish-speaking regions, 'bajar' is the casual, everyday verb used for 'to download,' even though 'descargar' exists.

Noun vs. Verb Confusion

The most common mistake is using a verb form ('bajar') when you mean the noun 'download' ('descarga'). Remember that 'descarga' refers to the download itself, while 'bajar' is the action of downloading.

Related Translations

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