Inklingo

How to Say "shipment" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “shipment” is “envío” — use 'envío' when referring to the actual package or item being sent, or the cost associated with sending it.

envíoA2

Use 'envío' when referring to the actual package or item being sent, or the cost associated with sending it.

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entrega🔊A2

Use 'entrega' to describe the action or process of delivering goods to their final destination.

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pedido🔊A2

Use 'pedido' when referring to the specific items that have been ordered and are being delivered, often in a commercial context.

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cargo🔊A2

Use 'cargo' to refer to the load or quantity of goods being transported, especially in a larger context like a ship or truck.

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cargamento🔊B1

Use 'cargamento' for a batch or collection of goods that have been sent together, often implying a significant quantity.

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despacho🔊B1

Use 'despacho' to refer to the act or process of dispatching or sending out goods, often involving customs or formal procedures.

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embarque🔊B2

Use 'embarque' to describe a quantity of goods that are being loaded or have been loaded for transport, especially by sea or air.

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English → Spanish

envío

nounA2
Use 'envío' when referring to the actual package or item being sent, or the cost associated with sending it.

Examples

¿Cuánto cuesta el envío a mi país?

How much does the shipment/delivery cost to my country?

entrega

en-TREH-gahenˈtɾe.ɣa

nounA2
Use 'entrega' to describe the action or process of delivering goods to their final destination.
A smiling person receiving a large brown cardboard package from a delivery worker at a doorstep.

Examples

La entrega de mi paquete está programada para mañana.

The delivery of my package is scheduled for tomorrow.

Necesito firmar la entrega de estos documentos importantes.

I need to sign for the handover of these important documents.

Gender Reminder

Remember that 'entrega' is always a feminine noun, so you use 'la' or 'una' with it.

pedido

peh-DEE-dohpeˈðiðo

nounA2
Use 'pedido' when referring to the specific items that have been ordered and are being delivered, often in a commercial context.
A happy waiter standing beside a table, holding a small notepad, ready to take a customer's food order in a brightly lit restaurant.

Examples

Mi pedido de zapatos llega mañana por la tarde.

My shoe order arrives tomorrow afternoon.

¿Está listo el pedido para que lo recoja?

Is the order ready for me to pick up?

Tenemos muchos pedidos pendientes esta semana.

We have many pending orders this week.

Always Masculine

Even though 'order' in English sometimes feels like a general concept, in Spanish, 'pedido' is always treated as masculine (el pedido).

cargo

KAR-goˈkaɾɣo

nounA2
Use 'cargo' to refer to the load or quantity of goods being transported, especially in a larger context like a ship or truck.
A massive, brightly colored container ship sailing on the ocean, loaded high with stacked shipping containers representing commercial goods.

Examples

El barco llegó al puerto con un cargo de plátanos.

The ship arrived at the port with a cargo of bananas.

El cargo aéreo es más rápido pero más caro.

Air freight is faster but more expensive.

Using 'cargo' for any load

Mistake: “Puse el cargo de ropa en la lavadora.”

Correction: Puse la carga de ropa en la lavadora. Use 'carga' for a general 'load' (like laundry or groceries). 'Cargo' is usually for commercial goods being transported.

cargamento

kar-gah-MEN-tohkaɾɣaˈmento

nounB1
Use 'cargamento' for a batch or collection of goods that have been sent together, often implying a significant quantity.
A wooden crate sitting on a shipping dock with a large cargo ship in the background.

Examples

El barco llegó al puerto con un cargamento de café.

The ship arrived at the port with a cargo of coffee.

Estamos esperando un gran cargamento de suministros médicos.

We are waiting for a large shipment of medical supplies.

La policía interceptó un cargamento ilegal en la frontera.

The police intercepted an illegal shipment at the border.

Always Masculine

Cargamento ends in '-o', so it is almost always masculine. Use 'el' or 'un' before it.

Result Noun

The suffix '-mento' is added to verbs (like 'cargar') to name the result of that action.

Cargamento vs. Cargo

Mistake: “Using 'cargamento' to mean a job position.”

Correction: Use 'cargo' for a job title or fee, and 'cargamento' for physical goods being moved.

despacho

des-PAH-chohdesˈpatʃo

nounB1formal
Use 'despacho' to refer to the act or process of dispatching or sending out goods, often involving customs or formal procedures.
An elegant, classical building facade featuring large columns, symbolizing a professional firm or business practice.

Examples

El despacho de la mercancía se retrasó por la aduana.

The dispatch (shipment) of the merchandise was delayed by customs.

Contratamos un despacho de arquitectura muy prestigioso.

We hired a very prestigious architecture firm.

Action Noun

In this sense, 'despacho' means the action of 'despachar' (to send or attend to), turning a verb action into a masculine noun.

embarque

em-BAR-kehemˈbaɾke

nounB2
Use 'embarque' to describe a quantity of goods that are being loaded or have been loaded for transport, especially by sea or air.
Several wooden crates stacked together on a wooden pallet.

Examples

Estamos esperando un gran embarque de café desde Colombia.

We are expecting a large shipment of coffee from Colombia.

El embarque de la mercancía se completará mañana por la tarde.

The loading of the merchandise will be completed tomorrow afternoon.

Hubo un retraso en el embarque por falta de personal.

There was a delay in the shipment due to a lack of staff.

Specific Contexts

Use this word when goods are moved by sea or large-scale transport rather than a simple envelope or small box.

Focusing on the 'What' vs. the 'How'

Learners often confuse 'envío' and 'cargamento'/'cargo'. Remember that 'envío' usually refers to the item(s) being sent or the cost, while 'cargamento' or 'cargo' denote the actual load of goods being transported. 'Entrega' and 'despacho' focus on the process of sending and delivering.

Related Translations

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