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How to Say "downloading" in Spanish

English → Spanish

bajar

bah-HAHN-doh/baˈxan.do/

Verb (Gerund/Present Participle)B1General/Informal
Use 'bajando' when referring to the specific action of transferring digital files from the internet to your device.
A stylized white cloud floating above a small, square building, with a stream of blue data packets flowing from the cloud straight down into the building.

Examples

Mi computadora lleva una hora bajando el archivo.

My computer has been downloading the file for an hour.

Están bajando la última versión del sistema operativo.

They are downloading the latest version of the operating system.

Continuous Download

The phrase 'estar bajando' is perfect for describing a download in progress, emphasizing that the action has not yet finished.

descargar

/des-KAR-gah//desˈkaɾɣa/

NounA2General
Use 'descarga' when referring to the noun 'download' – the completed process or the file itself that has been transferred.
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.

cargar

kahr-GAHN-doh/kaɾˈɣan.do/

Verb (Gerund/Present Participle)A1General/Technology
Use 'cargando' when referring to a webpage or application loading, not specifically downloading files.
A stylized, simple computer monitor displaying a bright blue progress bar that is three-quarters full, symbolizing a file loading.

Examples

La página web sigue cargando. Hay que esperar.

The webpage is still loading. We have to wait.

El juego está cargando todos los niveles.

The game is loading all the levels.

Use with 'Seguir'

You often use 'cargando' with the verb 'seguir' (to continue) to show that a process is still ongoing: 'sigue cargando' (it keeps loading).

Confusing Loading vs. Downloading

The most common mistake is using 'cargando' for file transfers. Remember, 'cargando' is for when something is displayed or prepared, like a webpage, while 'bajando' is specifically for bringing files onto your device.

Related Translations

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