cargar
Lemma Details
Translation: to load; to charge; to burden; to carry; to bear; to fill
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: Cargar comes from Late Latin 'carricāre' meaning 'to load a cart', derived from Latin 'carrus' (cart or wagon). This same Latin root gave English words like 'cargo', 'charge', and 'car'. The physical sense of loading or burdening something evolved into various metaphorical uses, including electrical charging and financial charges.
Commonality: 85%
Guessability: 70%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Mnemonics
- Think of 'cargo' in English - things that are loaded or carried.
- Remember 'in charge' - when you're responsible, you 'carry' the burden.
- Picture a car being loaded with cargo to connect the physical meaning.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish-speaking countries, 'cargar' is commonly used in everyday contexts from physical loading to mobile phone charging. The expression 'cargar con las consecuencias' (to bear the consequences) is particularly common in discussions about responsibility.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'cargar' means to load or charge, 'encargar' means to entrust someone with a task or to order something.
Notes: 'Cargar' is about physical or metaphorical burdens, while 'encargar' is about assigning responsibilities or ordering items.
Mnemonic: 'Encargar' has 'en-' added, think of 'entrusting' a task to someone else.
Explanation: Both can relate to money, but 'cargar' means to charge (add a cost), while 'cobrar' means to collect payment or to charge in the sense of receiving money.
Notes: 'Cargar' focuses on the action of adding a charge, while 'cobrar' focuses on receiving payment.
Mnemonic: Think of 'cobra' (snake) that collects or 'cobras' (you collect) money.